Ingredients
3 servings
- •1 lb macaroni
- •freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- •salt, to taste
- •2 ½ teaspoons paprika, or chili powder
- •1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- •1 teaspoon mustard powder, (optional but highly recommended)
- •¼ teaspoon nutmeg, (optional, but use for added flavor)
- •1 pinch dried basil, optional
- •½ teaspoon oregano
- •½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- •½ cup flour
- •4 cups milk
- •2 garlics, minced
- •4 tablespoons milk, use for later
- •¼ cup butter
- •4 cups cheese, (recommended: 2 cups cheddar, 1 cup monterey-jack, 1 cup mozzarella)
- •½ cup heavy cream, (optional but for extra creaminess, use it)
Instructions
- Take a medium-sized pot or a deep saucepan and to it, add the flour and cook for 2 minutes on medium heat (to toast the flour). Reduce heat to low and add butter and minced garlic. Cook until butter has melted and garlic has caramelized.
- Increase heat to medium and add 4 cups (960 ml) milk slowly, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook until sauce thickens- sauce should be thicker than bechamel.
- Turn off the heat and add garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika or chili powder, mustard powder and nutmeg. After mixing, add 1 ½ cups (150 G) of the cheese to the sauce and combine - do not turn on the heat.
- In a separate pot, boil the pasta in water and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup (60 ml) pasta water.
- Then, put the macaroni in a large pot and add the sauce without heating it. Add the heavy cream, 4 tbsp of milk, pasta water, basil and oregano. Add salt and pepper if needed.
- In a separate pan, toast the breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp of butter and cook for 5 minutes to create a breadcrumb topping.
- Preheat the oven to 410°F. Add half of the mac 'n' cheese to a lightly-buttered baking dish. Before adding another layer, add 1 cup (100 G) of shredded cheese. Then, top with the final layer of pasta and cover with the remaining cheese.
- Add the breadcrumbs on top and bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until the top gets nice and golden-brown.
- Enjoy!