Mac & Cheese

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Kids in the Candy Store

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (90)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(90)

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

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 35 min
Total:: 55 min

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Ingredients

Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi (see Note)
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon grated 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.

Note: To make ahead, put the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Put the tomatoes and bread crumbs on top and bake for about 40 to 50 minutes.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Mac & Cheese
Jennifer White Plains, NY 10-25-2009
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sinfully delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

One word, WOW! I made some healthier substitutions, e.g. skim milk, reduced-fat cheddar, and whole wheat bread crumbs but... this is a splurge dish. I am going to make it on Christmas. It is absolutely fantastic. You must try it! Thanks again, Ina. Read more
recipe Mac & Cheese
sharlene kissimmee, FL 10-20-2009
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CLASSIC REBORN!! DELICIOUS!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

OMG...I made this for the family and it was a homerun! OUt of the park!! I had to omit the nutmeg because I was out of it. ... It didn't make a difference. It is a very rich dish so I if you are making it as a side dish, keep that in mind when you are making the meat or main entree. Pricey but worth it! Leftovers are even better! Enjoy!Read more
recipe Mac & Cheese
lisa brooklyn, NY 10-19-2009
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could have used a bit more salt
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

but it was still really good. the cheese was a bit expensive, definitely not something we are going to make all the time but... we will use this recipe again. Read more
recipe Mac & Cheese
Kathy Longwood, FL 10-18-2009
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The best EVER!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I, too, make this a lot but leave the tomatoes off because of a picky teenager. This is the best mac and cheese ever and IF... they're any leftovers, people have been known to fight for them! I usually dislike mac and chesse, but I adore this.Read more
recipe Mac & Cheese
Pamela Mansfield, TX 10-06-2009
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I will never make boxed Mac & Cheese again . . ever!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is awesome! A bit pricey to make, but still overwhelmingly good! I often make this for family events and it... always gets finished right down to the last macaroni. People have walked up to me and said they don't normally like mac & cheese but they love this dish. One thing I do change from the original recipe is instead of 1 quart of milk, I use 1/2 quart of whole milk and 1/2 a quart of half & half. I noticed the half & half makes it a little creamier and a little less watery. I'd also recommend using higher quality of macaroni or cavatappi as I've noticed that it does make a difference in the overall taste and texture. And due to personal preference I put more than 5 slices of bread crumbs because I love the toasted crunchiness mixed with the mac & cheese. This dish really is the best!Read more
recipe Mac & Cheese
Karen Sturgis, MI 09-27-2009
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YUM!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this mac and cheese for dinner tonight. It is absolutely delicious! My husband is very picky about his mac and... cheese....can't be too creamy, can't be too dry. It was perfect. My grocery store did not have the gruyere, but I was able to find a small wedge of jarlsburg. I used the extra sharp cheddar, jarlsburg and some extra sharp white cheddar. I also omitted the tomato and covered the top with panko crumbs, as someone suggested in a previous review. I chopped 1/2 med sized onion and put that in as well. It added subtle extra flavor. My husband isn't an onion fan, but he didn't even notice it. I think I read a previous review that said this didn't have much flavor. WHAT? Couldn't be further from the truth. Delicious. Make it....you won't be disappointed!Read more