Perfect Macaroni And Cheese

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 6 slices good-quality bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
• 5 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 1/2 cups about 18 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups about 8 ounces grated gruyere or 1 1/4 cups about 5 ounces grated pecorino romano cheese
• 1 lb elbow macaroni

Recipe

• 1 1. heat the oven to 375 degrees. butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. place bread pieces in a medium bowl. in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. set the breadcrumbs aside. in a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. when butter bubbles, add flour. cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• 2 2. slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
• 3 3. remove the pan from the heat. stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 1/2 cups gruyere or 1 cup pecorino romano. set cheese sauce aside.
• 4 4. fill a large saucepan with water. bring to a boil. add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.
• 5 5. pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino romano; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes; serve.