Gourmet Girl's Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese

Submitted by gourmet_girl

"Cheesy, yummy, rich and creamy, gourmet style mac and cheese. :)"

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1⁄4 cup finely diced onion
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (you can experiment with cheeses of course, I think I put in bits of a few kinds I had on hand)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt
• white pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or more to taste, regular, not honey)
• 3⁄4 lb macaroni or 3/4 lb choice of shaped pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled, tossed with a little butter to prevent sticking
• 1⁄2 cup plain breadcrumbs

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Meanwhile, melt 4 T. of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. Saute onions until tender and translucent.
4. Whisk in flour to make a roux and cook for a couple minutes, stirring, until golden.
5. Slowly whisk in the milk with a wire whisk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking on occasion for 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Remove pan from heat and whisk in grated cheese. Stir vigorously until cheese has just melted.
7. Then whisk in heavy cream to achieve the desired consistency and season to taste with the salt, white pepper and mustard.
8. In a mixing bowl combine sauce with drained macaroni and adjust salt and white pepper to desired flavor.
9. Transfer mixture to a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
10. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and dot with remaining 4 T. of butter.
11. Bake until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
12. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Reviews

[Color Guard Mom]

This tastes wonderful. I do think when I make it again I'll use a sharper cheese to give it more of a zing or even use a few kinds just like gourmet_girl says she does. Still - it turned out beautifully and it was yummy. Thanks for posting! Made for PAC Fall 2008.