The Ultimate Mac and Cheese with a Crumb Top

Mac and Cheese is an American classic. With this recipe I like to add some interest and texture to a very popular dish without upsetting any Mac and Cheese hard core fans !


MacnCheese

Mac and Cheese with Crispy Crumb

The Cheesiest, crumbliest Mac n Cheese ever!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g Macaroni Pasta
  • 700 ml Milk
  • 240 ml Cream
  • 120 g Unsalted Butter
  • 60 g Plain Flour
  • ½ tsp Nutmeg Ground
  • 2 tsp Salt Amount – personal taste
  • 1 tsp Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 280 g Gruyere Cheese
  • 280 g Cheddar Cheese
  • 35 g Parmesan Cheese
  • 100 g Breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

  • Add pasta to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook according to instructions and drain when al dente. The pasta should be ready just before your sauce.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the milk and cream in a pot making sure not to allow it to come to a boil.
  • Melt 7 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a seperate large pot. Add the flour and whisk while it cooks on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the hot milk and cream in while whisking and cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and mix in the cheeses, salt, nutmeg, paprika, and pepper.
  • Melt one or two tablespoons of butter in a pan and mix with the breadcrumbs. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the breadcrumbs are a light golden color. Season with salt and pepper to taste then mix in about three tablespoons of shredded parmesan.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well. Transfer to a baking dish or ramekins and top with the some more cheddar and parmesan and the toasted breadcrumb mixture.
  • Bake at 375 for about 35 minutes.
  • For an extra touch of moorish tasty goodness, you could also sprinkle pieces of crispy smoked bacon to the topping too!
    Enjoy
Keyword Bacon, cheeseburger, Crumb, Mac and Cheese, Macaroni