What makes good Mac ‘n Cheese?

Posted by Sir Eats a Lot
May 16, 2008

Without a doubt it is the texture. Good macaroni and cheese needs to have a texture that isn’t too crusty but shouldn’t be wet. It also has to be creamy but not gummy. I even have a friend that prefers his macaroni and cheese soupy. In my opinion soupy macaroni and cheese would be vomit inducing you know what they say “different strokes for different folks”. It never occurred to me until the moment he revealed this to me that some people have no idea what good macaroni and cheese is. For those of you afflicted with this severe lack of judgement I give you one of the best Mac and Cheese recipes I have ever tried. It comes from the food network I first saw it on the TV show Good Eats hosted by Alton Brown. The guy is kind of geeky but he sure does know his food.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown
Show: Good Eats
Episode: For Whom the Cheese Melts 2

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it’s free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.
Recipes

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