Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni; 0.25 cup butter; 0.25 cup all-purpose flour; 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme; 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 0.125 teaspoon white pepper; 3 cups milk; 1 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 pinch ground nutmeg; 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs; 1 tablespoon butter, melted

4.4

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This panko mac and cheese is an easy-to-make, old-school recipe with a perfectly crispy crust.

By Chef John

Updated on December 20, 2022

289

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hrs

Servings:

6

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon white pepper
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground nutmeg
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in flour; cook on medium heat until flour begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme, cayenne, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring sauce just to a simmer.
Stir in salt, Worcestershire sauce, and nutmeg. Simmer, whisking often, on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes.
Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Mix in Dijon mustard.
Transfer macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine pasta with sauce.
Mix together panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

695	Calories
32g	Fat
73g	Carbs
29g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 695
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32g	41%
Saturated Fat 20g	100%
Cholesterol 95mg	32%
Sodium 928mg	40%
Total Carbohydrate 73g	26%
Dietary Fiber 3g	9%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 0mg	2%
Calcium 572mg	44%
Iron 3mg	18%
Potassium 418mg	9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.