Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
Artist in Residence
  • Home
    • About Artist in Residence
    • About Giselle
    • More About Giselle
  • All Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Master Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Dairy
    • Bread
    • Snacks
    • Entertaining
    • Pantry
    • Southern Favorites
    • Special Diets
    • Healthy Eats
    • Comfort Foods
    • Picnic BBQ
    • Beverages
    • Meal Planning
    • 30 minutes less
    • Seasonal
  • Course
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Starters
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Bread
    • Desserts
    • Dips Spreads and Butters
    • Snacks
    • Beverages
  • Curated Collections
    • Pickling and Preserves
    • Holiday Guides and Curated Menus
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • 4th of July
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Spring
    • Christmas
    • New Years
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Entertaining
    • Picnic BBQ
    • Southern Favorites
    • Southern Favorites Light
    • Master Recipes
    • Healthyish
    • Platters and Boards
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Burgers and Fries
    • Quick and Easy
    • One Dish Dinners
    • Gluten Free
  • Travel
    • Sedona
  • Art of Living
    • DIY
    • Blog Resources
  • Retail Therapy
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Food News
    • Shopping and Market Visits
  • Shop
    • Cookbook Reviews
    • 10 Things I’m loving this week
    • Kitchen Tools
  • Kitchen Know How
    • Pantry Essentials
    • Preserves and Pickles
    • How To Make….
    • Homemade Dry Mixes
    • Getting Organized
    • Printable Guides and Lists
    • Meal Planning
    • Ingredient knowledge
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog Resources
    • Blogging Tools

Classic Mac ‘n Cheese

Classic Mac ‘n Cheese

I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t like Mac ‘n Cheese and wonder if I want to. Two of my favorite ingredients: pasta and cheese. Its a “win win” scenario. There are a million variations and combinations, but the fun part is coming up with your own blend that suits your taste. Do you like it super creamy, southern baked style, or maybe throw in a little lobster in to make more high brow?

This Macaroni and Cheese recipe is a classic blend of 5 cheeses using a béchamel sauce as a base. Why five? Even though Mac ’n Cheese may seem like a simple dish, it’s anything but basic. The pasta itself has little flavor and the right blend of cheese’s and seasoning will make this the man ’n cheese of your dreams. My simple rule is this: one mild cheese like Monterey Jack or mild cheddar, something smoky and bold like a Smoked Gouda or any smoked cheese, a sharp cheese like Parmesan or Asiago, and a nice aged cheese that kind of in the middle like an aged Gouda. I also picked these to specifically make a white version. Somehow it’s seems more grown up to me.

My favorite pasta to use is Callentani. I love how its weightiness hold up through he baking and it holds more of all that cheesy goodness. I know you will love this one.

Classic Mac 'n Cheese

By: Giselle Raymond, Culinary Curator
  • May 4, 2018
  • 10-12 Servings
  • 1 hr 15 min
  • Print this
Ingredients
  • 1lb Callentani pasta
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated (save 1/2 cup for top)
  • 1 cup monterey jack cheese
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup smoked gouda
  • 1 cup aged gouda
  • FOR THE BECHAMEL
  • 1/2 grated onion
  • 1 garlic clove crushed
  • 3 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 flour
  • 1 bunch Italian parsley
  • 2 tbsps ground mustard
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Step 2
Boil pasta in very salty water until al dente (partially cooked). Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a medium pot melt butter and add grated onion. cook for about 2 min. Then whisk in flour sprinkling a little bit at time making a roux. Cook for about 5 min until thickened.
Step 4
Slowly add in the heavy cream, then crushed garlic, herbs and spices.
Step 5
Let simmer until liquid thickens.
Step 6
Now prepare a bowl with a medium mesh strainer big enough to hold the béchamel sauce. Pour the sauce in the strainer, the return sauce back to pot. Taste for salt and pepper if needed.
Step 7
Add in the cheese one handful at a time whisking in between.
Step 8
Transfer drained pasta to a baking dish. Pour béchamel over pasta and stir in well. Spread over remaining parmesan cheese.
Step 9
Bake for 45 min or until a beautiful brown crust appears on top.
Step 10
Try to wait until it cools to eat.

Post navigation

The Absolute BEST Banana Bread
3 Way Onion Burger with Applewood Bacon and Aged Smoked Cheddar

Related posts

Very Moist Chocolate Cake

Very Moist Chocolate Cake

Peanut Butter Truffles

Peanut Butter Truffles

Sweet “16” Valentines Treats and Ideas

Sweet “16” Valentines Treats and Ideas

Share your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Sweet “16” Valentines Treats and Ideas
  • DIY: Handmade Envelopes
  • Pretty in Pink Marshmallows
  • Very Moist Chocolate Cake
  • Peanut Butter Truffles

Recent Comments

  • Giselle Raymond, Culinary Curator on Very Moist Chocolate Cake
  • Nicolas Hortense on Very Moist Chocolate Cake
  • Giselle Raymond, Culinary Curator on Dirty Chai Muffins with Espresso Glaze
  • Nicolas Hortense on Dirty Chai Muffins with Espresso Glaze

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • Elara Pro by LyraThemes.com
  • Made by LyraThemes.com