Classic Mac & Cheese (Stovetop Version)
- Ready In:
- 1hr 5mins
- Ingredients:
- 15
- Serves:
-
6
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 ounces small elbow macaroni
- 5 tablespoons salted butter, plus more for baking dish
- 2 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs (preferably homemade)
- 1 ounce parmigiano-reggiano cheese, finely grated, about 1/2 cup (or Pecorino Romano)
- 3⁄4 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk or 2 cups reduced-fat milk
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces gruyere cheese, coarsely grated (2 cups)
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese, coarsely grated, preferably orange (mild or aged cheddar, 2 cups)
- 1⁄2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1⁄8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ground)
directions
- Fill a 4- to 5-quart pot about 3/4 full of water and add 1 tablespoon of the salt.
- Bring to a boil and add the pasta.
- Cook, stirring once or twice, until tender but firm, about 4-6 minutes, and drain; reserve the pot.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add the bread crumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano and cook, stirring constantly, until the crumbs are a deep golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
- Watch carefully because they can burn easily; the crumbs will continue to crisp as they cool.
- Remove immediately from the heat and set aside.
- Using the same pot you used to cook the pasta, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the flour and stir constantly until the onion is coated with the flour, 30-45 seconds.
- Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes more, or until the mixture starts to darken slightly and smell a bit nutty.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, cream, and remaining 1 tsp salt and cook until the mixture is just beginning to thicken and bubble around the edges, 5-7 minutes.
- It should be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the Gruyere, cheddar, mustard powder, cayenne, and nutmeg and cook until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth but not too runny.
- It should be similar in texture to cake batter; continue cooking if too soupy, until it thickens.
- Add the pasta and stir to combine.
- Ladle the mixture into individual bowls and sprinkle with the toasted bread crumbs; serve right away.
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