Baked Macaroni and Cheese

I didn't grow up eating macaroni and cheese and honestly don't remember when it was that I first tried it.  TBG will eat it but he isn't much of a fan so we don't have it often but when we do, it needs to be really good.

I've tried a number of recipes over the years and most were tasty but this one is close to perfection for me.

This is another recipe from Nagi that is in her Dinner cookbook.  

Macaroni:

8 ounces elbow pasta

1 tbsp unsalted butter

Topping:

2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tbsp unsalted butter-melted

1/4 tsp salt

Sauce:

4 tbsp unsalted butter

1/3 cup flour

3 cups milk

2 cups freshly shredded cheese-I used gruyere, she also recommends Colby or cheddar

1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 tsp salt

Seasonings:

1 tsp garlic powder-I used granules

1/2 tsp onion powder-I used granules

1/2 tsp mustard powder

*She has the seasoning listed as optional.  I say use them.

Cook pasta in boiling water for 1 minute under the recommended time on the box

Drain, return pasta to the pot, add butter and toss until melted.  Set aside to cool while making the sauce.

Mix together the topping and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large saucepan or in an ovenproof skillet melt butter over medium heat.  Add flour and cook, stirring constantly for one minute.

Add about 1 cup of the milk and mix to dissolve the paste into the milk.  Add remaining milk and mix until lump free. A whisk works best.

Mix in salt and seasonings.

Cook, stirring regularly for 5-8 minutes until thickened to a cream consistency.

Remove from the stove, add cheese and stir.

Combine the pasta and the sauce in oven safe pan.  Sprinkle breadcrumb topping all over the top. 

Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is a light golden brown.

Serve immediately.

I halved the recipe since it was the two of us which totaled about 4 nice size servings.

I really liked the flavor of this dish.  The creaminess was perfect for me.  Not dry and not too saucy.  

I don't care for reheated mac and cheese so I used the last two servings and made mac and cheese bites in the air fryer and they turned out delicious.  I used a small cookie scoop to get rounded balls and dipped in flour, egg and panko.  I cooked them for 10 minutes on 400 degrees.

This dish was easy to put together, great flavor with a delicious consistency making it my new go to when I want to make mac and cheese.