Mac and Cheese

Ina Garten

Copyright 2002, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, All Rights Reserved

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Comforting and Elegant Dinner

Picture of Mac and Cheese Recipe 3 Videos | Photo: Mac and Cheese Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
--
Yield:
6 to 8 servings
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
  • 1 quart milk
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
  • 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 709 reviews

  • on May 27, 2012

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    theeeeeeeeee best mac on the planet! .. everytime i make this, everyone loves it !.. i love you Ina!

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  • on May 27, 2012

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    This was delicious and easy! Used Monterey Jack and White Cheddar to save some money and used panko because it's what I had on hand. The tomatoes were excellent with the mac and cheese. At first I thought too much milk was called for as the sauce would not thicken like the sauce does in other recipes, but after everything baked it turned out just fine.

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  • on May 23, 2012

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    I am a big fan of Gruyere for onion soup, croque monsieur/madame, and au gratin potatoes but not in Mac and Cheese. I learned that the hard way when following Ina's recipe. Also the bread crumb topping altered the texture to one I did not like. I prefer a crispy cheese crust to my Mac and Cheese. I'll skip the bread crumbs next time. Adding the tomatoes is a great change up.

    people found this review Helpful.
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