Adult Macaroni and Cheese
Make Adult Macaroni and Cheese once and it will go straight into your regular rotation. Prep takes about under an hour, cooking around 30 minutes, and it serves 4. A hot pan and a little patience give you the kind of colour and texture that makes this dish. Read through the tips before you start — a couple of small details go a long way with this one.
- Cook 30 min
- Total 30 min
- Serves 4
- Level Medium
Ingredients
- ½ lb (227 g) elbow macaroni
- 6 oz (170 g) heavy cream
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt, plus more for the water
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) grated Fontina
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) grated Gruyere
- ½ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) cream cheese
- 4 Thin slices Swiss cheese, julienned
- 10 ¼ stick (150 g / 5.3 oz) unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (5 ml) tabasco sauce
Method
- In a gallon (~3.8 L) of salted boiling water, cook macaroni to al dente. Strain into a colander and rinse with cold water.
- While pasta is cooking, in a heavy saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Once bubbling ceases, whisk in flour and cook, whisking continuously, until blonde.
- Add remaining ingredients except butter. Once cheese is melted and sauce is smooth, add 1 tbsp butter, whisking continuously until melted. Repeat until all butter has been used.
- Gently fold in macaroni and serve warm.
Tips for the best Adult Macaroni and Cheese
- Rest the finished dish for a few minutes before serving — it lets the flavours settle and the texture firm up.
- Read the whole method before you start and measure out the 11 ingredients first — it keeps the pace relaxed once the heat is on.
- Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so everything browns instead of steaming.
Variations
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Spicier version: add a pinch of chilli flakes or a sliced fresh chilli with the aromatics.
Serving ideas
Serve hot with rice, potatoes or crusty bread, and something green on the side.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Adult Macaroni and Cheese take to make?
About 30 minutes in total — roughly under an hour of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking.
How many people does this Adult Macaroni and Cheese recipe serve?
As written it serves 4. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 4×2.
Can I make Adult Macaroni and Cheese ahead of time?
You can prep all the ingredients a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, then cook just before serving for the best texture.
What can I substitute for (227 g) elbow macaroni?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
Is this Adult Macaroni and Cheese recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 11 ingredients and 4 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
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