This baked Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese recipe has a creamy, silky, rich cheese sauce that’s perfectly balanced by a crisp and crunchy homemade breadcrumb topping. Comfort food perfection and so easy to make!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 50 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 6to 8 servings
Ingredients
For Macaroni & Cheese:
1poundelbow macaroni
1quart(4 cups) whole milk
1tablespoonKosher salt (Diamond Crystal)*
1/2teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
1/2teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoondry ground mustard
1/4teaspoonnutmeg
1/8teaspooncayenne pepper
1/8teaspoonsmoked paprika
1stick (113 grams) unsalted butter,sliced
1/2cup(64 grams) all-purpose flour
1teaspoonred wine vinegar
1egg, beaten
8ounces(2 cups) extra sharp cheddar cheese,grated
4ounces(1 cup) Gruyere cheese, grated
4ounces(1 cup) Jarlsberg cheese, grated
4ounces(1 cup) Fontina cheese,grated
For Topping:
1cupPanko bread crumbs
1tablespoonfresh thyme leaves
2tablespoons(28 grams) unsalted butter,melted
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 3-quart baking dish or individual gratin dishes with nonstick cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, 6 to 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan set over medium heat, warm the milk. Stir together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, & paprika in a small bowl, and set aside.
In a large saucepan set over medium-low heat, melt 1 stick of butter until melted. Sprinkle the flour into the saucepan and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in the hot milk and cook for about 3 minutes, until thickened and smooth, and the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Whisk in the spice blend and red wine vinegar. Remove from heat.
Slowly whisk a spoonful of sauce into a small bowl with the beaten egg, to temper the egg. Add egg mixture into the sauce. Add in the cheeses, and whisk until cheese is melted. Stir in pasta, then pour into prepared baking dish.
Mix panko bread crumbs, fresh thyme leaves, and melted butter in a small bowl until combined. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes, or until bubbling and browned. Remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes, before serving.
Video
Notes
*If using Morton Salt kosher salt, use 1 1/2 slightly heaping teaspoons.