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Experience the magic of the best homemade mac and cheese with this simple yet flavorful recipe. Perfectly creamy with a hint of tang, this dish is bound to become a household favorite.
Type of Cuisine:
American
Prep Time: 30 minutes.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
How Many Servings?
10 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 1 lb. Elbow pasta or any of your favorite | |
| 4 OZ of pancetta | |
| 1 shallot, diced | |
| 1 tablespoon unsalted butter | |
| ¼ cup all purpose flour | |
| 4 cups whole milk | |
| 2 cups gruyere cheese (12 oz) shredded | |
| 2 cups white cheddar cheese (12 oz), shredded | |
| 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (4 oz), shredded | |
| 1 package of crème Fraiche (7.5 oz) | |
| 2 teaspoons salt | |
| 1/2 teaspoon white pepper | |
| 1/4 teaspoon chili powder |
Topping:
| 1 cup bread crumb | |
| 4 tablespoons unsalted butter | |
| ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese |
Preparation
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 13x9-inch rectangular baking dish to prevent sticking.
2
Start by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add elbow pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, just until it's tender but still firm to the bite (al dente). Drain thoroughly and transfer the pasta to your prepared baking dish—ready for all that cheesy goodness!
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the pancetta and diced shallots, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Whisk in the flour and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color. This forms the rich, flavorful base for your cheese sauce.
4
Gradually whisk in the milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Gruyère, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce thickens to creamy perfection. Season with salt, white pepper, and a hint of chili for a touch of heat. Finally, pour the luscious cheese sauce evenly over the macaroni in the baking dish—every bite will be packed with flavor!
5
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese until well combined. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the macaroni, creating a golden, crispy topping.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown. Remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, and then serve up this creamy, cheesy masterpiece!