Macaroni and Cheese from Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)

Submitted by KathyP53

"One of my favorite comfort foods made by Ina with cheddar and gruyere cheese and topped with fresh tomatoes."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• kosher salt, to taste
• vegetable oil, if desired
• 1 lb elbow macaroni or 1 lb cavatappi pasta
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces gruyere cheese, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3⁄4 lb fresh tomato (4 small)
• 1 1⁄2 cups fresh white breadcrumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6-8 minutes. Drain well.
3. Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4 qt.) 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 minutes or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, cheddar, 1 tablespoons salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3 quart baking dish.
4. Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine butter with fresh breaf crumbs, and sprinkle on top. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and macaroni is browned on the top.

Reviews

[DebS 2]

Oh boy what joy! Comfort food like this is just plain decadent! I could not find Gruyere cheese at our store so I used the grated package mix of Swiss and Gruyere and a 2 cup package of extra sharp Cheddar. The nutmeg in this is the perfect touch. I served it with Recipe #82425 for the supreme mac and cheese and tomato soup combo.

 

[DanielleLyn]

This is a good white mac n cheese recipe. I made this after I saw Ina make it on her show. It looked scrumptious. Instead of gruyere I used swiss cheese. So Im sure if I use gruyere cheese next time it will make it even better. I do think this recipe needs a little more flavor. Next time I make it, I am going to add some finely chopped onion and fresh garlic. The tomatoes were just awesome over top! It sounds weird, but it gives it a nice touch! Next time Im also going to add some crumbled bacon and more shredded cheese over the top with the tomatoes. mmmmm what I did with this was put it in some medium sized ramekins and baked in the oven. So everyone would have their own little dish of it. I give this 4 stars as written, just because my taste buds say it needs more flavor. But if you doctor it up a bit, this could easily be a 5 star recipe!

 

[internetnut]

This Mac & Cheese is one of my absolute favorites. I had this at a Holiday party for my job. I had to get the recipe!

 

[Gmj]

Very Good, but could use a little more flavor depth. So I add 1T dry mustard to the flour. ( So does Alton Brown) Plus appx 2T parmesan ( dry stuff is fine or fresh grated) to the cheese mix. Be sure to move pan off the heat first, though I never add oil to the water, even though I know Ina akways does. If you keep an eye on the pot, and stir well to start as well occasionally, it will not boil over if your por is big enough.,W/ enough water. Nor will the noodles stick together.. I personally realky like the addition of tomatoes . But my family does not. So I do what my mom did, and serve stewed tomatoes simmered w/ a little diced green peppers, diced celery & a little diced onion added in. Then serve on the side for her. It is actually very good when topped with some stewed tomatoes done like that at the table. That way everyone can choose. IF I am doing the crumb topping (often I do not) I use panko instead of fresh. But our family likes just more cheese on top to form a crunchy cheese crust. So, I do top the panko with some cheese when I use the topping.

 

[Cristobal V.]

I've been making this dish for years now and never ceases to disappoint. It has become a dish that I better make sure to bring to all family gatherings on both sides! Definitely continues to be the star on the table of sides. Thanks again and again!