EATS: Creamy Mac 'n Cheese Recipe

Hello everyone!

This recipe for creamy mac 'n cheese is one of my most requested recipes.  It's great, especially in the winter, because it's indulgent, it's impressive,  and most importantly it's super simple.  If you're making this dish for dinner include a great big side salad to help cut through the richness and you'll have an awesome family style meal that you can make even on your busiest days. 

This creamy mac 'n cheese also holds really well so you can store the leftovers and just heat it up a couple of days later.  The mac 'n cheese is just as creamy as when you make it fresh on the stove the first day.  I find that most people prefer either the stove top super creamy mac 'n cheese or baked creamy mac 'n cheese with a crunchy topping.  This recipe can be served either way.  I've included two videos here to guide you through the process for both.  

For the baked mac 'n cheese, many recipes will call for traditional bread crumbs for the topping.
I make my topping a little differently with a little bit of a Japanese twist to it. My baked mac 'n cheese recipe calls for a panko based crust.  I choose panko because it's a bit lighter and flakier than regular bread crumbs. Mac 'n cheese is already a rich and heavy dish so it's nice to give it a little lightness.   

Give this recipe for creamy mac 'n cheese a try and let me know what you think! Whether you like it classy or crispy you're going to love this dish.

Creamy Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe

• 1 Pound shell pasta

• 8 Ounces Butter

• 1/2 Cup flour

• 1 Teaspoon Salt

• 1 Cup Half and Half

• 3 Cups Milk

• 4 Cups of cheese, any mix (gruyere, cheddar, parmigiana,
  mozzarella, etc)

  Creamy Mac 'n Cheese with crispy panko topping:

• 2 Ounces Butter

• 1 Teaspoon minced garlic

• 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

• Cup 1 Panko

• Instructions:

  Prepare the Pasta:

  1. Cook shell pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

  Make the Cheese Sauce:

  1. In a large saucepan, melt 8 ounces of butter over medium heat.

  2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbly.

  3. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and milk, ensuring there are no lumps.

  4. Add salt and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 5 minutes).

  5. Lower the heat and gradually stir in the cheese until fully melted and smooth.

  Combine Pasta and Sauce:

  1. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly.

  2. Pour the mac 'n cheese into a baking dish.

  Prepare the Panko Topping

  1. In a small skillet, melt 2 ounces of butter over medium heat.

  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

  3. Stir in the panko breadcrumbs and salt, cooking until the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy (about 2-3 minutes).

  Assemble and Bake:

  1. Sprinkle the toasted panko mixture evenly over the mac 'n cheese.

  2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

  Enjoy your creamy mac 'n cheese with a satisfying crispy topping!