Macaroni and Cheese With Crumb Topping

Submitted by Barb G.

"This is a different Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Some of the recipe can be made 1 day ahead. Great for pot luck. The recipe comes from Bon Appetit."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups fresh breadcrumbs, made from crustless french bread
• 3⁄4 cup freshly grated asiago cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 8 tablespoons butter, divided
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 6 cups whole milk
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cups grated white cheddar cheese (about 1 pound)
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 lb macaroni

directions

1. Mix bread crumbs, Asiago cheese, and paprika in a medium bowl.
2. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add flour and stir 3 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk in milk, then mustard and pepper.
5. Cook until thickened, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
6. Mix in cheese and parsley.
7. Cool sauce slightly.
8. (Topping and sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Rewarm sauce, stirring frequently and thinning with milk if necessary, before continuing). Preheat oven to 400°F.
9. Butter 15 x 10 x 2-inch Glass baking dish.
10. Cook Macaroni in pot of boiling salted water until just tender BUT still firm to bite, stirring occasionally.
11. Drain Macaroni.
12. Return macaroni to pot; mix in sauce.
13. Season to taste with salt.
14. Transfer mixture to prepared dish.
15. Sprinkle with topping and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
16. Bake until cheese is bubbling and crumbs are brown, about 40 minutes.
17. Cool slightly and serve.

Reviews

[evelynathens]

Awesome mac and cheese recipe. I few minor changes that I don't feel affected the original integrity of the recipe. We can only get orangey cheddar here so I used 2 cups of that with 2 cups of grated swiss and 1/2 cup of parmesan - delicious! The bechamel/cheese sauce gave the mac a good creamy coating. The crumb topping is what sends this dish over the top - great stuff and so easy. Kids loved it and that, alone, sends it right into the keeper file! Thanks Barb.