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Mandy

Not Your Kid's Mac and Cheese

A grown up baked mac and cheese with a creamy gruyere and extra sharp cheddar sauce, your favorite mix ins and a golden bread crumb and parmesan topping.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Mac and Cheese
  • 1 package noodles penne, elbows or similar
  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese shredded
  • 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk skim works fine
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • mix in ingredients of your choice cooked as needed
For the Topping
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 3/4 cup parmesan
  • 2 tsp parsley

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. While it cooks, grate the cheddar and gruyere and set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  3. In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add the milk and heat, whisking often, until the mixture thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Remove the sauce from the heat and blend in the shredded cheese until completely melted. Season with the sea salt and cracked black pepper.
  6. Prepare whatever mix ins you have chosen.
  7. Add the noodles to a 9 by 13 baking dish, stir in the cheese sauce to coat, then stir in the mix ins until evenly combined.
  8. Sprinkle the top with the paprika, bread crumbs, parmesan and parsley.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes so the topping browns.
  10. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Mix in ideas include crispy bacon with sauteed leeks and garlic, peas with wild mushrooms and scallions, spinach and tomatoes, ham and peas, or chunks of lobster.