Mac and cheese
Mac and cheese combines pasta with a thick cheese sauce and a baked breadcrumb topping. Make a milk-based roux sauce, then melt in cheese away from a strong boil so it stays smooth without splitting.
Additional 5 min — resting and preparation
How to make it
Prepared 0 of 6 steps
Prepare the cheese and oven
Heat the oven to 190 °C. Grate both cheeses, reserving 40 g Cheddar for the topping. Prepare a dish about 22 × 28 cm and break up any clumps in the grated cheese.
Slightly undercook the pasta
Boil water with 6 g salt. Cook the macaroni about 2 minutes less than the packet time, as it will continue cooking in the sauce. Drain and do not leave it sitting dry in the hot pan.
Make the milk sauce
Melt 50 g butter, stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes without browning. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook for 4–5 minutes until smooth, then add remaining 3 g salt, pepper, mustard and nutmeg.
Melt the cheese
Remove from strong heat and stir in Gruyère and the unreserved Cheddar in batches until melted, without boiling hard. Combine with macaroni, keeping plenty of sauce, as the pasta will absorb some.
Prepare the crisp topping
Transfer to the baking dish. Melt the remaining 25 g butter and mix with panko and reserved 40 g Cheddar. Spread thinly and evenly over the pasta without packing it down.
Bake and rest
Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden on top and bubbling at the edges. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Bacon, herbs, tomatoes and separate sides are not included.
Little hint
Pre-grated cheese may contain anti-caking agents that affect sauce smoothness; grating it yourself is more reliable. Do not dry out the pasta while waiting for a very dark crust.
Frequently asked questions
What should I watch out for when cooking?
Pre-grated cheese may contain anti-caking agents that affect sauce smoothness; grating it yourself is more reliable. Do not dry out the pasta while waiting for a very dark crust.
How should I prepare the ingredients?
Heat the oven to 190 °C. Grate both cheeses, reserving 40 g Cheddar for the topping. Prepare a dish about 22 × 28 cm and break up any clumps in the grated cheese.
