Em's Mac n' Cheese

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2002

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: Comfort Cooking

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (231)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(231)

Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 to 8 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 5 min
Cook: 45 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

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Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne
2 1/2 cups grated Cheddar (about 6 ounces)
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well.

Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the flour brown. Using a whisk, add the milk in a steady stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and 2 cups of the cheese, and stir well. Add the noodles and stir well. Pour into the prepared dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese with the bread crumbs and Essence. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William Morrow, 1993.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Em's Mac n' Cheese
Jeff Waterford, MI 09-19-2009
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Easy and Adaptable
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This Mac and Cheese is a good base to start with. Made as printed it is good but venture out and try multiple cheeses to add... different flavors and tastes. I use 4 or 5 cheeses and have used as many as 7. Try Asiago, Gruyere, Fontana, Extra Sharp Cheddar, Pecorino Romano and I have even use Stilton. Top with bread crumbs, grated parmesan and a few dabs of butter to make a nice topping. Usually end up with a bit more cheese than the recipe calls for. Read more
recipe Em's Mac n' Cheese
Heather Tonawanda, NY 09-07-2009
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One of the Better Mac 'n Cheese Recipes
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is one of my "go to" Mac 'n Cheese recipes. Emeril's seasoning adds just enough flavor and the 3 cups of milk makes it... creamy! You must use at least 2% milk to get it to thicken--whole milk works the best. And the other reviewers are right, you need to add some extra cheese. I use 8 oz in the sauce and at least 4 oz in the topping...depending on what I have on hand, I'll add even more to the sauce! I also usually cut back a little on the bread crumbs to 1/4 of a cup. Overall, it's a winner!Read more
recipe Em's Mac n' Cheese
nancy torrance , CA 09-02-2009
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Easy to make! and Deeeelish!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I love this recipe. So easy to make. I used sharp cheese (makes the difference). I also used low fat milk and it came out... perfect (just make sure it thickens). And I also (like some below) used crumbled garlic croutons on top. I'm a garlic lover so it topped it off just right! Definitely a recipe to add to the dinner repertoire!!Read more
recipe Em's Mac n' Cheese
Stacy Castle Rock, CO 06-18-2009
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Thought it would be better
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

With the reviews that were on here I thought I would give it a try, the crumb topping ruined it for me and my family. It... didn't have the flavor I was hoping for, if I make this again I will add different kinds of cheese.Read more
recipe Em's Mac n' Cheese
Kelly Sunrise, FL 05-24-2009
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Delish!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is great, and I recommend to everyone. Every other baked mac and cheese recipe i've tried is so dry. Instead of... the bread crumb topping I take garlic & butter croutons...throw them in the food processor and add the essence to it. SOOO much better than using breadcrumbs.Read more
recipe Em's Mac n' Cheese
Tiffany Davie, FL 03-01-2009
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Easy and good mac n cheese!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I followed the recipe exactly the first time, and my husband did not like the bread crumb topping. So, the next time,... instead of using bread crumbs, I topped it with essence but then added grated muenster cheese on top and baked it ill it was all melted and crusty! My husband loved it the second time, and I did too! I will definitely be making again in the future!Read more