Crispy Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Serves: 6
Manley Abshire
1 January 1970
Based on User reviews:
49
Spice
49
Sweetness
40
Sourness
42
mins
Prep time (avg)
5.4
Difficulty
Ingredients:
Directions:
1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
2
Butter a shallow 2-quart baking dish; set aside
3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
4
Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente
5
Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain
6
Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat
7
Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth and lightly browned, about 2 minutes
8
Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth
9
Add the bay leaf, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt
10
Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens slightly, 7 to 8 minutes
11
Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and whisk in the monterey jack, gruyere and cheddar one cheese at a time, allowing each cheese to melt before adding more
12
Add the pasta and stir until coated, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen (the sauce will thicken as it bakes)
13
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish
14
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the microwave
15
Add the panko, parmesan and a pinch of salt; stir to combine
16
Scatter over the pasta and bake until the crumbs are browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes