Ina Garten Grown Up Mac And Cheese Recipe
Ina Garten Grown Up Mac And Cheese Recipe is creamy, cheesy and full of flavor. Unlike regular mac and cheese, this version uses a mix of gourmet cheeses and a crispy topping.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk warmed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Do not overcook or pasta becomes mushy.
Make the cheese sauce
- Melt butter in a pan. Whisk in flour until smooth. Slowly add milk and cream while stirring continuously.
Add seasoning and cheese
- Add Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and paprika. Stir in cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan. Cook until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
Combine pasta and sauce
- Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce. Stir gently until pasta is fully coated. Ensure every piece is creamy and evenly covered.
Prepare the topping
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter in small bowl. Set aside. This will give the mac and cheese a crunchy, golden crust.
Assemble and bake
- Transfer macaroni and cheese to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly on top. Bake until topping is golden and bubbly.
Serve
- Remove from oven carefully. Let it rest a few minutes. Serve warm for best taste and creamy texture.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar for strong flavor
- Mix different cheeses for depth
- Do not overcook pasta
- Warm milk before adding to sauce
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for crunch
- Bake until top is golden brown
- Stir pasta gently to prevent breaking