Description
Barefoot Contessa’s grown-up mac and cheese elevates classic comfort with sophisticated ingredients like Gruyère and blue cheese. Sophisticated flavors merge with creamy pasta, creating an indulgent dish that satisfies gourmet cravings and delivers nostalgic warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240 grams) elbow macaroni or cavatappi
- 4 oz (113 grams) Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
- 3 oz (85 grams) extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about ¾ cup)
- 2 oz (57 grams) blue cheese (such as Roquefort), crumbled
- 4 oz (about 4 slices) thick-sliced bacon
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
- 2 tbsps (30 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (16 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
- 2 tbsps freshly chopped basil leaves
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Arrange bacon slices on a baking rack over a sheet pan, roasting at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until crisp and golden. Cool on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water with a touch of vegetable oil, cook macaroni until al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: Warm milk gently in a saucepan. In a separate pot, craft a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour for 2 minutes. Gradually pour warm milk, stirring until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thickened sauce.
- Cheese Melding: Remove sauce from heat, blend in Gruyère, Cheddar, blue cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Combining Components: Fold cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon into the cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution. Transfer to individual gratin dishes or a single baking dish.
- Breadcrumb Topping: Pulse bread slices in a food processor, integrate chopped basil, and generously sprinkle the herbed breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese.
- Baking and Finishing: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until bubbling and golden-brown. Rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to settle and temperature to moderate.
Notes
- Bacon Brilliance: Roast bacon on a baking rack for maximum crispiness and even cooking, preventing soggy, greasy results.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook macaroni al dente to maintain a slight bite, preventing mushy texture and ensuring ideal pasta consistency.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheeses to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy sauce with complex flavor layers.
- Crumb Coating Technique: Pulse breadcrumbs with fresh basil for an aromatic, crunchy topping that adds texture and elevates the entire dish’s gourmet profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 585
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg