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–+ servings
Creamy Thanksgiving Mac Cheese

Creamy Thanksgiving Mac Cheese to Wow Your Holiday Guests

This Creamy Thanksgiving Mac Cheese is a comforting staple with a luxurious twist that delights guests during the holiday season.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded, try aged varieties for extra depth.
  • 1 cup Gruyère Cheese Can substitute with Emmental cheese.
  • 4 cups Whole Milk Heavy cream can be used for more indulgence.
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter Margarine can be an alternative.
  • 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour Would work with gluten-free flour.
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs Regular breadcrumbs can be used.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Medium saucepan
  • large mixing bowl
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Thanksgiving Mac Cheese
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling salted water for 6-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan, whisk in 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a roux.
  4. Gradually pour in 4 cups of whole milk while whisking constantly, cooking until the mixture thickens and bubbles gently.
  5. Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup of Gruyère cheese, mixing until melted and smooth.
  6. Combine the drained macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl and stir well.
  7. Spread the macaroni and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish and sprinkle 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs on top.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  9. Let the mac cheese rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Using freshly grated cheese ensures a smooth texture. Save some pasta cooking water to adjust sauce thickness if needed.

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