Dinner, Popular | Tags: mac and cheese
Well, we survived day one of Fall Break around here. I even made it through the day without hearing, “I’m bored Mom, what are we going to do today that’s fun?!” So, we’re off to a good start!
While in NYC a couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to dine at Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro with 2 nice ladies from Pillsbury, which was a complete treat! The second you step foot into the quaint restaurant, you are overwhelmed with the smell of crazy cheeses. Some may think it stinks, but something about it reminded me of being in
The best part of this post is Chef Brennan shares and even demonstrates his famous mac and cheese recipe on howdini.com for all of us to enjoy. I ended up making it 2 different times last week and it tastes identical to one I ordered at the restaurant. Talk about hitting the jackpot! Next time you need to impress some guests, break out this recipe and bring a little fine dining to your kitchen tables!
Chef Terrance Brennan’s Gourmet Mac and Cheese
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
7 ½ Tbs Butter, divided
¼ Cup plus 2 Tablespoons Flour
3 Cups milk
2 ¼ Cups gruyere, shredded
½ Cup mascarpone cheese
¾ Cup bread crumbs
¼ Cup Parmesan Reggiano, grated
salt and fresh ground pepper
- Bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil and add the elbow macaroni. Cook until it’s al dente, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
- While the macaroni is boiling, slowly melt 5 1/2 Tbs of butter over medium high heat in a medium sauce pan.
- Add the flour, stirring, cook together for a minute or so. Do not brown the mixture; you want a blonde roux. Add the milk, whisking to avoid lumps. Bring mixture to a boil and continue whisking. Lower heat and simmer for about five minutes until it thickens.
- While the milk is simmering, combine 2 Tbs butter and the bread crumbs, and melt together in a separate pan.
- Add the Parmesan cheese. This adds another layer of flavor so it’s not one-dimensional. Just cook until the butter is melted. Remove from heat.
- When the milk is ready, add the mascarpone cheese. Then add gruyere cheese and whisk it in, and as soon as until it’s melted, remove from the heat. This will happen quickly because the gruyere cheese should be grated and at room temperature.
- Season with salt and black pepper and whisk to combine. Add the macaroni to the cheese sauce, mix it well, and when it’s nicely incorporated, spoon it out into a cooking dish.
- Sprinkle the bread crumbs on the top, using your hands to pat it down to make sure it’s nice and evenly dispersed all over the surface. The topping becomes very crunchy when it bakes. Cook for about 35-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven until golden brown and bubbly.
i’m away at college right now and i have been dying for some of my mom’s mac and cheese. i think i might have her try your recipe next time
sounds (and looks!) absolutely delicious!
This looks fabulous. My topping never comes out as well.
Oh this looks devine! Next time you make it call me I’ll be there!
Oh. My. Gosh. HEAVEN! This looks amazing. It would count as dessert, but may be the one dish I would make an exception for on my rule about that!
This mac n cheese sounds so creamy and good!
This is such a comfort food it looks amazing!
Nice recipe. Think its time to try this amzing dish
I almost fell down laughing when I read, “Back with more smack”!!
Mac and Cheese…loved it as a kid.
Still love it as an adult.
Oh yes, this is definitely a good kicked up version of mac & cheese.
I would eat this with a nice cold glass of white wine. Mmmm, that sounds so good right now. Wine and cheese always go so well together.
That looks like heaven in a bowl!!!
My mouth is watering over here.
Ya know, I am only 90 mins from NYC…I see a trip for some of this in my near future!
So, it looks and sounds fabulous….but, I was sorely dissapointed when at the store, buying the indredients realized it would cost me $20.00 or more!!! to make. Sorry, but I just can’t do that with 4 kids and a budget.
Hi Jamie,
I hear ya, I wish this dish was a little more economical. You’ll have to save it for a special occasion.
Love your blog. Sadly, I can’t find pumpkin kisses anywhere in Utah. What store did you buy them in? My friend even asked a Hershey Rep. He said he’d never seen them to ask you what store because Hershey does promos for stores.
Hi Tiff,
I bought mine at Super Target in Gilbert AZ. I had a friend also see them at a Walgreens drug store. Hopefully they’ll get more out. They’d be great for Thanksgiving too!
Hi Jenny, I am not normally a Mac & Cheese lover, but it is cold and snowy here in Northern Utah and this looks like the perfect comfort food. I am going to link this recipe to my blog!! Check us out: http://platesandpalates.blogspot.com/.
I made the Mac and Cheese tonight for dinner and it was a thumbs up from all. I used low carb pasta for the hubster (no one knew) and it tasted great!! Thanks for the great recipe!!
mmmmm that looks like such great comfort food
So wait, the parm goes in with the breadcrumbs, not the milk mixture, right?
Hi Carrie,
Yes, the parmesan goes in with the bread crumbs, good luck!
See! This is why I come here! This looks a bit like my favorite recipe (from Martha) but I think I might like this one better. I’m not even kidding though that this is why I come here – I was JUST in the kitchen looking at the mascarpone in my fridge and trying to decide what I was going to make with it. Yay! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent site, added to favorites!