This Ultimate Gruyere Mac and Cheese recipe is crunch on the outside and creamy on the inside. And it's easy to make for any occasion!
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 4
Author Allie Taylor
Ingredients
8ouncesdried macaronicellentani, elbow, spiral, etc. I used Cellentani by Barilla
4tablespoonsunsalted butter
1/2cupfresh bread crumbs
1/4cupall-purpose flour
3cupsmilk
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/4teaspoonfreshly ground pepper
1/8teaspooncayenne pepper
2 1/2cupscoarsely gratedsharp white cheddar cheese
1cupcoarsely grated Swiss-style Gruyere cheese
1/4cupfinely grated dry Jack cheesecan use Monterey Jack if you can't find the dry Jack
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°.
Grease a 1 1/2 quart souffle baking dish. Set aside.
Boil large pot of water to cook macaroni according to package directions. But stop cooking about two minutes early. (Pasta should be slightly underdone.)
Drain and rinse pasta with cold water and set aside.
In large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter.
Add fresh breadcrumbs and stir until thoroughly coated. Set aside.
In a small sauce pan or microwave, heat milk until very hot but not scalded.
Meanwhile, in the pan you used for the bread crumbs, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. When butter is bubbling, add flour and stir until cooked, about 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in hot milk, whisking continuously until all milk is incorporated and sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and stir in salt, black pepper, cayenne, 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, 3/4 cup of Gruyere and all the dry Jack cheese.
Mix well until all the cheese has melted.
Add cooled macaroni to the cheese sauce and pour mixture into the buttered casserole dish.
Sprinkle with remaining cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, then top with buttered bread crumbs.
Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and casserole is bubbling.
Let sit for 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
Recipe easily doubles to cook in a 9 X 13" baking dish.