Mac and Cheese
Here it is: the only mac & cheese recipe you need this holiday season. Creamy, cheesy, and about to make every other side dish look like a sad little afterthought. You’re welcome.
My Mac and Cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort dish—perfect for gatherings, featuring a creamy, three-cheese blend (sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, and Swiss or Gruyère) layered with seasoned breadcrumbs for a crispy finish. With bold flavors like paprika and cayenne, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings warmth and richness to any holiday table. Check out the full recipe here for all the details.
1 pound pasta of your choosing
1/2 cup butter
5 tablespoons flour
5 cups whole milk
2.5 teaspoons mustard powder or 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder or a few dashes of hot sauce
12 ounces (1.5 cups) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
12 ounces (1.5 cups) mild cheddar cheese, grated
12 ounces (1.5 cups) Swiss or gruyere cheese, grated
Kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste
1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup parmesan, grated
salt to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease your 9x13 baking dish or cast iron with butter and set aside.
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes less than the package recommends. Drain and reserve.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour, and stirring constantly with a whisk, cook for 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the flour brown. Using a whisk, add the milk in a steady stream and cook, whisking constantly, and increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 4 minutes. Add remaining spices and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients and season with salt.
Add cheese in batches, whisking and allowing the cheese to melt in between batches - reserving about 1/3 of the cheese for layering the casserole. Once the cheese is added and mixture is smooth, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the pasta and stir well to combine. Pour half the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle half of your reserved cheese over the mixture. Follow with the rest of the pasta and cheese sauce mixture before topping with the remaining cheese, breadcrumbs and parmesan.
Bake until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Get the full recipe details here.
Tip: always grate your own cheese for mac and cheese! Pre-grated cheese contains added starches and anti-caking agents, which prevent the cheese from melting smoothly and can mess with that creamy texture you’re after. A little extra grating work pays off in ultra-melty, silky cheese sauce—totally worth it.