Secret Ingredient Creamy Mac and Cheese recipe
This ever-popular classic comfort food recipe is creamy and flavorful!
Servings 12 servings
Calories 505kcal
Ingredients
FOR THE CHEESE SAUCE
- 6 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper or ground black pepper
- ⅓ teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce or Sriracha sauce
FOR THE TOPPING
- 2 cups croutons homemade or store-bought, measured before you crush them, any flavor. I like these.
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese fresh Parmesan, shredded
Instructions
FOR THE PASTA
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large pot cook the pasta to al dente (according to the package instructions).
- Remove the pasta from the heat and drain. Place back in the pan and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat. Allow to pasta to cool while you're preparing the cheese sauce.
FOR THE CHEESE SAUCE
- Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set them aside.
- Spray a large 3-quart or 4-quart baking dish or braiser pan with non-stick cooking spray. I use a braiser pan that goes from stovetop to oven (which means one less pot to clean!)
- Melt the butter in your large pan/pot. Whisk in flour and over medium heat continue whisking for about 1 minute. You want it to become bubbly and golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy then stir until it's smooth. Continue cooking and whisking until there are small bubbles on the surface. Once you see these bubbles cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper, hot sauce, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. Whisk until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth and slightly thick.
- Stir in the pasta and stir until the pasta is incorporated with the cheese sauce. Pour into your baking dish (or if you used an oven-safe pan simply add the crushed croutons mixture to the top.)
FOR THE TOPPING
- In a small bowl, combine crushed croutons, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately
Nutrition
Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 415mg | Iron: 1mg
