Photo: Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 6 1/2 cups milk
- 1 onion wedge, studded with cloves
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 ounces unsalted butter
- 1/8 cup diced white onion
- 1/8 cup small-diced carrot
- 4 ounces all-purpose flour
- 1 pound extra-sharp white Cheddar, shredded (recommended: Cabot)
- 4 ounces yellow Cheddar, shredded
- Salt and white pepper
- Ground nutmeg
- Bread Crumb Topping, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. While pasta is cooking, in a heavy, medium saucepan, combine the milk, clove-studded onion, thyme, and bay leaf over medium heat. In a large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and carrot and saute until tender. Add the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until it's thickened and smooth. Strain this milk mixture into a heat-proof bowl. Stir in the shredded cheeses and mix until melted. Season, to taste, with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the pasta and mix well. Pour the macaroni and cheese into a baking pan and top it with the Bread Crumb Topping. Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is warmed through. Serve immediately.
Bread Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup Japanese bread crumbs (panko)
- 1 tablespoon assorted chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, and basil
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
* Professional Recipe
This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional and makes a large quantity. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe in the proportions indicated and therefore cannot make any representation as to the results.
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By jochebed1
keller, TX
on January 13, 2012
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good
By bunnellfamily_1...
APO, AE
on September 05, 2009
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Overall, the recipe worked as described. In the end, I thought the taste was a major cut above the normal mac and cheese. I agree that the bread crumb topping really makes the dish. My kids, however, (who are of average finickyness only ate a couple of bites. My wife thought that the cheese was probably to sharp for their tastes. So, I think this is a good recipe for adults, just don't have your hopes up for the whole family.
By jenboes_2381314
Lewes, DE
on March 27, 2005
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I really liked this recipe. It classes up the traditional mac & cheese. However, I did need to add extra penne pasta to the dish. Otherwise it is too much cheese and not enough pasta.
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