Grown-Up Macaroni and Cheese

by Erin

Boxed macaroni and cheese cannot compete with the three cheeses in this grown-up version. Sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and blue cheese will rock your taste buds.

Grown-Up Macaroni and Cheese

Happy Memorial Day! And also a happy Secret Recipe Club reveal day. This month I was assigned to Dena’s blog, Oh! You Cook! Not only is she a blogger, she is also a librarian by day and has a cookbook called The Everything Kosher Slow Cooker Cookbook. Regardless of your dietary restrictions however she has scads of recipes everyone can enjoy such as Stuffed Grape Leaves Casserole, Chubby-Hubby Truffles, and even Caramelized Banana-Stuffed Fried Oatmeal. Talk about incredible! But with the Memorial holiday I had my sights set on her macaroni and cheese.

This particular mac and cheese is a huge upgrade from the boxed stuff (not that I don’t enjoy that from time to time). It is made with three types of cheese, sharp chedder, Gruyere, and blue cheese. The combination of those three makes for one awesome mac and cheese sauce. Which speaking of I must warn you, while making the cheese sauce for this recipe I was worried that it should have cooked down further or used less milk as it seemed like far too much sauce for the amount of noodles. However once it baked in the oven it was perfect. Do not be concerned with the seemingly excessive amount of sauce pre-baked, it will turn out just right.

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One year ago: Spaghetti Avocado

Three years ago: Baked Zucchini Fries with Balsamic Aioli

GROWN-UP MACARONI AND CHEESE

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz.) box elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp dry mustard powder (or 1 Tbsp dijon)

4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

4 oz. Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated

4 oz. crumbled blue cheese

3 cups milk (I used 2%)

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom and sides of a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well.
  3. While macaroni is cooking, over medium heat melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a 3 quart saucepan. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Whisk constantly for 1 minute to form a paste.
  4. Slowly whisk in milk. Stir often until mixture starts to thicken and barely comes to a simmer, then stir constantly until mixture boils.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in mustard, all the cheeses a small handful at a time, stirring between each handful until cheese has completely melted.
  6. Add drained macaroni, stir until evenly mixed and pour into the prepared casserole dish.
  7. In a small bowl, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in microwave. Mix butter with Panko, then sprinkle on top of the macaroni.
  8. Bake, uncovered, in oven for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese bubbles and crumbs are golden brown. (I broiled mine for 5 minutes after it baked for 25.)

Source: Adapted slightly from Oh! You Cook!


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23 comments

Nicole May 29, 2014 - 5:05 pm

I can’t believe I haven’t tried making mac n cheese from scratch yet! This seems pretty easy, I hope it’ll work with almond milk.

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spiffycookie May 30, 2014 - 9:02 am

You definitely need to try making homemade mac and cheese. It’s fun playing around with different cheeses too. Let me know how it turns out with almond milk (obviously use the unsweetened non-flavored kind).

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Couscous & Consciousness May 29, 2014 - 6:40 am

Delicious. I love a seriously good mac ‘n’ cheese, and this looks like an ultra comforting, ultra cheesy version.
Sue

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JJ - 84thand3rd May 27, 2014 - 8:20 pm

Oh there’s nothing like proper mac n cheese with a crunchy topping! Great pick!

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Rebekah @ Making Miracles May 27, 2014 - 10:17 am

Wow that sounds amazing!! Great pick this month!! Seriously cheesy happiness in that pan… mmm…

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Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen May 27, 2014 - 10:04 am

Oh man, my tummy is rumbling just looking at this mac and cheese! It sounds delicious! Great choice!

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avril May 26, 2014 - 10:24 pm

To die for DELISH!! I have been eyeing such recipes for “adult” mac and cheese….you made a great pick for SRC!

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Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel May 26, 2014 - 10:06 pm

Oh my gosh does this sound good… you had me at gruyere and blue cheese. Swoooooon.

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Christine May 26, 2014 - 9:23 pm

Hi Erin – I have to apologize. I had your blog this month but had scheduling issues, so it may have seemed like I orphaned you. I am very sorry!

I made your Peanut Butter Apple Bars and they were delicious! I sent most of them to work with my husband, but I wish that I had kept a few more for myself! ;)

Your blog is so incredibly cute & awesome – I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!

Take Care!!

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spiffycookie May 26, 2014 - 10:19 pm

Christine, I actually thought that I was orphaned but no worries I completely understand that things happen! Going to check out the recipe you picked now :-)

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Tara May 26, 2014 - 7:47 pm

I have never tried blue cheese in mac and cheese. It sounds fabulous. Great pick!

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Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories May 26, 2014 - 7:23 pm

Oh yum!! Way better than the boxed stuff! I love gruyere in mac and cheese!

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Emily @ Life on Food May 26, 2014 - 7:00 pm

Mac and Cheese never gets old. This one looks like a good one! Happy Reveal Day!

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Dad May 26, 2014 - 6:54 pm

And it was a delicious mac and cheese. She left it for Sherrill and I when she went to Rochester for 10 days. we had 3 days worth of dinners prepared for us during her absence.

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Dena @ohyoucook May 26, 2014 - 4:57 pm

Nice job, Erin! Great selection for the holiday!

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spiffycookie May 26, 2014 - 10:22 pm

Thanks Dena! Loved searching through your blog this month.

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Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm May 26, 2014 - 2:46 pm

My mouth started watering the moment I looked at that photo.

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Sarah E May 26, 2014 - 2:29 pm

I would be all over this mac and cheese (I’d probably replace blue cheese out for another kind of cheese)!! I love Gruyere…I mean you really cannot go wrong with it. YUMMM! Happy reveal day!

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sallybr May 26, 2014 - 2:22 pm

this would be perfect tonight, actually – the weather turned out a little cooler…

great choice for your SRC job this month!

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Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious May 26, 2014 - 11:55 am

Deluxe comfort food! Great SRC pick!

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Amy @ Fearless Homemaker May 26, 2014 - 11:01 am

Oh, sweet fancy moses, this looks GOOOOOD! Great choice for the SRC!

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spiffycookie May 26, 2014 - 11:12 am

Hahha sweet fancy moses, love it.

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Baby June May 26, 2014 - 8:10 am

That looks delicious! So many delicious cheeses–much better than the typical Velveeta kind. :)

Reply

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