Quick & Creamy Michael Symon Mac And Cheese Recipe

Mac and cheese represents the ultimate comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, indulgent masterpiece.

Culinary enthusiasts adore this classic dish for its rich, velvety texture and soul-warming qualities.

Skilled chefs like Michael symon elevate the recipe by combining multiple cheese varieties and crafting a perfectly crisp topping.

Sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyere create a complex flavor profile that tantalizes taste buds.

Breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch, contrasting beautifully with the smooth, molten cheese sauce.

Homemade versions far surpass boxed alternatives, offering deeper flavors and more satisfying experiences.

You’ll want to gather high-quality ingredients and prepare this crowd-pleasing side dish that guarantees smiles around the dinner table: pure deliciousness awaits.

What Makes Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese Recipe the Ultimate Comfort Dish

• Craft Creamy Comfort: Michael Symon's mac and cheese delivers ultimate richness with multiple cheese layers and a velvety sauce that wraps around perfectly cooked pasta.
• Speedy Gourmet Magic: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in just 25 minutes, offering professional-level results without complicated techniques.
• Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between crispy golden cheese topping and silky smooth interior, creating an exciting mouthfeel that elevates classic mac and cheese.

What You’ll Need for Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for mac and cheese, holds sauce beautifully, and provides hearty texture.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Gruyère Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that create a complex and creamy flavor profile, each bringing unique sharpness and smoothness.

• Whole Milk, Half and Half: Provides rich, creamy base for sauce, creates silky texture and deep flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth cheese sauce foundation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken cheese sauce and create smooth consistency.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor and balances cheese's richness.
• Olive Oil: Prevents pasta from sticking and adds subtle background flavor.

How to Make Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (3 quart capacity) with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil pasta 1 minute less than package instructions to achieve al dente texture. Drain pasta and lightly drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Organize Cheese Preparation

• For sauce
• For inner layer
• For topping

Step 4: Create Silky Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Sprinkle flour and whisk continuously to create a smooth roux.

Step 5: Build Creamy Base

Gradually pour in half and half and whole milk, whisking constantly until mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened.

Step 6: Season and Blend Cheese

Heat sauce until it reaches semi-condensed soup consistency. Stir in spices and of shredded cheese until melted and velvety.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Mix drained pasta thoroughly with prepared cheese sauce, ensuring even coating.

Step 8: Layer Mac And Cheese

• Pour half the pasta mixture into greased baking dish
• Sprinkle of shredded cheese
• Add remaining pasta mixture
• Top with final of cheese

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Allow mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes before serving for optimal texture and temperature.

Pro Tips for Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese

• Customize Your Flavor: Experiment with garlic powder or mustard to make the mac and cheese uniquely yours.
• Boost Crunch Factor: Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds delightful texture.
• Elevate Cheese Quality: Select premium cheddar and Gruyere to create a rich, complex flavor profile.
• Surprise with Spice: Dust some smoked paprika over the dish for an unexpected and tantalizing twist.
• Rest and Relax: Allow the mac and cheese to cool slightly after baking, letting flavors meld and settle for the ultimate creamy experience.

How to Keep Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese Fresh

• Cooling Method: Transfer mac and cheese to shallow, wide containers to maximize cooling speed and prevent bacterial growth. Spread the pasta evenly to help it cool faster and more uniformly.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store in airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-sealing lids. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain optimal temperature and preserve texture.
• Freezing Technique: Portion leftover mac and cheese into individual serving sizes before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in resealable freezer bags to prevent freezer burn and make reheating more convenient.

Creative Twists on Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese

• Smoky Southwest Mac: Replace some cheddar with pepper jack cheese. Add diced green chiles, crumbled chorizo, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a bold, spicy kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Mac: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh chopped basil. Swap half and half with Greek yogurt for a tangy, creamy texture.
• Truffle Mushroom Mac: Sauté wild mushrooms in butter before adding to the mac and cheese. Drizzle with truffle oil and garnish with fresh thyme for an elegant, earthy flavor profile.
• Buffalo Blue Cheese Mac: Stir in buffalo sauce and crumbled blue cheese. Top with crispy bacon bits and sliced green onions for a game-day inspired version that packs a punch.

A Cheesy Delight with Michael Symon’s Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese lovers unite for Michael Symon’s culinary masterpiece that elevates comfort cuisine to gourmet heights.

Creamy textures meld with rich cheese layers, creating a dish that transcends ordinary pasta expectations.

Melted cheese whispers promises of indulgence while crispy edges hint at textural perfection.

Home cooks can recreate restaurant-quality magic with simple ingredients and careful technique.

Cheese lovers will savor each luxurious bite of this classic reimagined.

Passionate palates deserve such delectable experience – make, share, comment, and spread mac and cheese joy with everyone who craves ultimate comfort on a plate.

Michael Symon Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Michael Symon Mac and Cheese delivers ultimate comfort with its rich blend of sharp cheddar and gruyère. Perfectly crispy panko topping crowns this indulgent pasta dish that promises pure cheesy satisfaction for hungry souls craving classic home-style goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) dried elbow pasta
• 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese

Dairy Components:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) whole milk
• 2 ½ cups (600 milliliters) half and half

Seasoning and Thickeners:

• ½ cup (60 grams) all purpose flour
• ½ tablespoon (7.5 grams) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 325°F (163°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just shy of the package’s recommended cooking time, ensuring a slightly firm texture.
3. Carefully drain the pasta and toss with a light drizzle of olive oil to prevent clumping.
4. Grate all cheeses and separate into three distinct portions: 3 cups for the creamy sauce, 1 1/2 cups for the middle layer, and 1 1/2 cups for the final topping.
5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux.
6. Gradually pour in half and half and whole milk, continuously whisking to eliminate any lumps and create a silky base.
7. Simmer the mixture, stirring consistently, until it thickens to a luxurious, velvety consistency similar to condensed soup.
8. Incorporate selected spices and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
9. Fold the drained pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated.
10. Transfer half of the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
11. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the first pasta layer.
12. Gently pour the remaining pasta mixture on top of the cheese layer.
13. Crown the dish with the final 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese.
14. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly and crisp.

Notes

• Experiment with artisan cheeses for a gourmet twist on flavor.
• Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
• Shredded cheese distributes more evenly throughout the dish.
• Leftover portions keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more consistently when mixing.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 790 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 690 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg