Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Alex Guarnaschelli

Show: The Cooking LoftEpisode: Perfect Pasta

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (43)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(43)

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

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 35 min
Total:: 50 min

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Ingredients

10 cups water
Kosher salt
3 cups elbow macaroni (preferably De Cecco brand, if available)
1 quart heavy cream
2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed with the back of a knife
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 to 3 1/2 cups grated Gruyere
Freshly ground white pepper
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
Hot sauce, to taste
1/3 to 1/2 cup toasted bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot, bring the water to a rolling boil. Add the salt. Taste the water. It should be salty like sea water. Add the macaroni and stir, with a wooden spoon or large slotted spoon, to ensure the macaroni does not stick to the bottom of the pot as it cooks. Cook until the macaroni is still quite firm, 8 to 10 minutes.

Pour the macaroni and water into a strainer placed over the sink. Allow the water to drain out, reserving approximately 1 cup of the liquid.

In the same pot, bring the cream, garlic cloves, and the reserved cooking liquid to a simmer. Add the mustard and 3 cups of the Gruyere. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer gently, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and has integrated with the cream. Add the Parmesan and Cheddar. Stir with a wooden spoon and simmer again until smooth. Add a splash of Worcestershire and a splash of hot sauce. Stir to blend. Taste for seasoning.

Add the macaroni to the cream and stir gently to blend. Allow the macaroni to rest on the stove, 5 to 10 minutes, so the pasta absorbs the flavors. Remove and discard the garlic cloves.

Fill a baking dish with the macaroni mixture, top with the bread crumbs, the remaining Gruyere cheese and bake 10 to 12 minutes or until the bread crumbs crust on top. Serve immediately.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Macaroni and Cheese
Rob New York, NY 11-08-2009
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Amazing Cheese Combo
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have made this dish several times and love it every time. The combination of the cheeses is brilliant and it is by far the... best Mac and Cheese I have ever tasted. Having followed the directions before, I decided that the dish would be best if a roux was added to keep the cheese together for leftovers and reheating. Adding a 3 TBLS flour butter roux was a great addition and I think improved the consistency. Finally, I also added some diced chunks of pancetta to the mix before baking it in the oven. These two small changes made an amazing dish even more special. Thanks Alex for an amazing meal.Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese
Patti Portland, OR 09-01-2009
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Yummy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this recipe last night and it was soooo good! I was a little worried about how "soupy" it was going into the oven,... but it turned out great. Ended up cooking it for 25 minutes and then letting it sit out of the oven for 5-10 minutes and it thickened right up! Also added pieces of cooked bacon and it went together really well. I'll definitely make this again!Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese
Iris Spring, TX 08-19-2009
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All Time Favorite
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have long been in search of the perfect mac and cheese recipe and this one out performs all others, hands down! I used... regular American sliced cheese and parmesan so the expensive cheese is simply not necessary. The sauce stays creamy and delicious, doesn't separate into oil or completely disappear like other recipes. The only mac and cheese I will ever make from now on. Thanks Alex!!Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese
Nicole Washington, DC 08-16-2009
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So good
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It was so good. It's a heart attack in a dish but well worth it in small portions. It's easy and very tasty. There's no need... to try and fish out the garlic cloves, they melt right in. Next time I'll mince them instead of leaving them whole.Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese
Sandy Franklin, GA 07-10-2009
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Too creamy
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

Near to the point of sickening. I love Mac and Cheese but this was putrid.
recipe Macaroni and Cheese
M Virginia Beach, VA 06-16-2009
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Love this cheese combination!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

After seeing this show and trying numerous mac & cheese recipes, I am happy to have found one that my whole family loves. ... I've been looking for a recipe for years and this is it! I used Barilla Cellentani pasta, a beautiful ridged corkscrew looking macaroni and it was beautiful AND delicious. Thanks Alex! LOVE IT! Read more