Ingredients
- Vegetable cooking spray
Sauce:
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups warm whole milk
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Farro:
- 2 1/2 cups grated Parmesan
- 1 cup grated Gruyere
- 1/2 cup fontina cheese, grated
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups faro or barley, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
For the sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 8 minutes (do not allow the mixture to boil). Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
For the farro: In a large bowl, add the cheeses and stir to combine. Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture and reserve. In a large stock pot, add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the farro, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the faro is tender, about 25 minutes. Drain, if necessary. Add the farro, thyme, and sauce to the bowl with the cheese. Stir until combined and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake until the top is golden brown and forms a crust, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.


















Review This Recipe
You must be signed in to review this recipe.
or Register to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 41 reviews
By guennieca_3685568
phoenix, az
on January 02, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I really love Giada but we just didn't care for this dish. It was dry and the cheeses are too mild, they did not have enough flavor. I added more milk and spices to the sauce to try to give it some zing but it didn't work.
By Mandy the chef
Small town in s...
on December 27, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I am in love with this! My son said to me "Great mac-n-cheese mom, my all time favorite, loved it!!!!! Thanks Giada
By 2girls2dogs2ponies
Chicago, 52
on October 11, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Excellent recipe that is fancy enough for adults yet makes a toddler very happy.
It's a little on the expensive side and really high in calories, but what a treat. The price can be brought down quite a bit if you substitute the 2 cups of gryere+fontina for swiss which is about half the price of the other two around here. Calories ... well, not much to do about that, except maybe portion control? Hard to do with such an incredibly tasty recipe so we don't make it very often but it is a wonderful go-to staple for those long, dreary winter nights where one needs a pick-me-up.
Read all 41 reviews