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🧀 “Best Ever Baked Mac N Cheese”

A Tribute to America’s Favorite Comfort Food
By Chef Charles Knight

The Origins of Mac & Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese is one of America’s most beloved comfort foods — but its story stretches back centuries.

A dish resembling it, called maccheroni, was enjoyed in 14th-century Italy. Later, Thomas Jefferson helped popularize pasta and cheese in the United States after sampling a baked version while serving abroad in Europe.

By the 1800s, baked macaroni and cheese recipes appeared in American cookbooks. By the 1930s, boxed versions made the dish both affordable and convenient for every household. Today, mac and cheese ranges from humble stovetop preparations to gourmet renditions featuring lobster, truffle oil, and artisanal cheeses — yet its essence remains unchanged: warm, creamy, and deeply comforting.

🥘 Baked Mac N Cheese – The Best Ever!

⏱ Total Time: 1 hour  Servings: 4–6

Equipment

• Measuring cups & spoons
• Food Cutter with #1 Grating Cone (for cheese) & #2 Julienne Cone (for block cheese)
• 3-quart saucepan
• 2-quart steamer/strainer
• 1-quart saucepan

Ingredients

Pasta & Sauce

• ½ lb. elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta (#87)
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg (or dried ground)
• ¼ tsp dry mustard powder
• ½ cup Half-and-Half
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 6 oz Velveeta cheese
• ¼ cup Swiss cheese, grated
• 4 Tbsp (¼ cup) cream cheese
• ¼ cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup whole milk (or rice milk for dairy-free)

Topping

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup seasoned or Italian breadcrumbs
• ½ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan, grated

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta

In a 3-quart saucepan, bring purified or filtered water (avoid chlorinated tap water) to a boil over medium heat (≈275°F).
Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain through the steamer/strainer and set aside.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce

Using the same saucepan, melt butter over medium heat (≈275°F).
Whisk in flour and cook 2–3 minutes until lightly nutty. Add nutmeg and mustard; cook another 2 minutes.

Gradually whisk in Half-and-Half and milk, stirring constantly until thickened (4–5 minutes).
Turn off the heat and add cheeses a little at a time, whisking until smooth and creamy.
Stir in cooked pasta until evenly coated.

💡 For classic stovetop mac & cheese, serve immediately at this stage — creamy, rich, and ready to enjoy.

3. Bake (Optional for Crust Lovers)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Transfer macaroni mixture to a buttered baking dish.

In a 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat (≈175°F).
Stir in breadcrumbs until coated, then remove from heat.
Sprinkle evenly over pasta and top with grated Pecorino or Parmesan.

Bake 30–40 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

🍴 Serving

Serve hot, garnished with extra grated cheese if desired.
Creamy inside, crisp on top — this truly is the Best Ever Baked Mac N Cheese.