Best Ever Mac and Cheese

Directions

  1. 1Place 1 pound of elbow macaroni to boil in salty water.
  2. 2Melt half a stick of butter in a pan.
  3. 3Add a quarter cup of flour to the melted butter.
  4. 4Add fresh cracked black pepper, salt, and paprika to the butter and flour mixture.
  5. 5Whisk the mixture and add 2 cups of milk.
  6. 6Add half of the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheeses to the sauce.
  7. 7Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  8. 8Pour the cheese mixture into the cooked macaroni.
  9. 9Stir to combine the macaroni and cheese sauce.
  10. 10Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
  11. 11Dump in half of the macaroni and cheese into the casserole dish.
  12. 12Take a quarter of the remaining Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses and sprinkle them on top of the macaroni layer.
  13. 13Add the rest of the macaroni and cheese on top of the cheese layer.
  14. 14Top with the rest of all the shredded cheese (Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar).
  15. 15Sprinkle with a little extra paprika on top for color.
  16. 16Pop the casserole dish into the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until done.
  17. 17Serve the mac and cheese directly from the casserole dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.5 stick butter
  • 0.25 cup flour
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • paprika
  • 2 cups milk

Equipment

potwhiskcasserole dishcooking sprayovenserving spoonfork

Tips

  • Boil macaroni in salty water, 'salty like the sea.' When you think you have enough salt, use a little more.
  • Use freshly grated cheese; store-bought cheese has starch added as an anti-clumping agent and won't come out the same.
  • Creating a cheese layer in the middle of your mac and cheese is like lasagna mac and cheese, and the only way you should ever make mac and cheese.
  • Sprinkle extra paprika on top for "cute popping."