Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite things to make. If I'm ever having a lackadaisical day, macaroni is my go-to. It's relatively simple to make and quick/easy once you get the hang of it. It's also just a nostalgic childhood foods that warms you up on a stressful, blustery day. Not that I recommend drowning your woes in cheese. But it certainly does help! I also like to swap out the cheese to fit my mood, or what's in the refrigerator at the time. Any semi-soft or semi-hard cheese will do. I also like to substitute in a little Greek yogurt and pasta water because I don't tend to keep milk in the house. Although you can also mix in a little bit of dry white wine. Today, I'm short on wine! I do have cheddar gruyère with roasted red pepper and cracked peppercorn that I got in bulk, I want to say from Costco, and have been saving specifically for a macaroni and cheese day.
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Variations of Gruyère Macaroni & Cheese
I make macaroni and cheese maybe once a month. It doesn't require any fresh produce (unless you want to add in bell peppers, hot peppers, brocolli, spinach, etcetera). And sometimes I like to mix it up with white wine.
This macaroni and cheese consists of butter, flour, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Greek yogurt, and a cheddar/gruyère blend with roasted roasted red pepper and cracked peppercorn.
2c.cheddar gruyère w/ roasted red pepper & cracked peppercorn(*or cheese of choice, see notes)
Instructions
Cook Pasta
Add about 4 inches of water to a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
Cook pasta according to the manufacturer's instructions. This typically entails boiling for about 8-12 minutes, or until barely al dente.The pasta will cook another half hour in the oven, so make sure not to overcook them during this stage!
DO NOT DRAIN. Remove the pasta from the water with a slotted spoon or pour the water into a heat-safe bowl. Since Greek yogurt isn't as thin as milk or cream in classic macaroni and cheese recipes, you will need to cut it with the pasta water. Tap water will not taste the same. You want to use the water that the pasta has been boiling in.You may want to stir it occasionally to keep the noodles from sticking together.
Prepare Roux
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a large baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
Preheat saucepan on medium-heat. Add 1/4 cup butter and melt.
Immediately when the butter melts, add flour and stir constantly until incorporated. This should take about 3 minutes.Do NOT brown or overcook, though. You just want the butter and flour to incorporate until you add the spices.
Add salt, pepper, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir constantly for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Add Greek yogurt, a little at a time, and stir constantly until incorporated after each addition. Adding too much at once can cause the roux to separate. Although this is less of an issue with yogurt as it is milk or cream, it is still something to watch out for!
Meanwhile, grate the cheddar cheese and add to roux 1/2 cup at a time. Mix constantly until fully incorporated.
Add just enough of the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce. I typically use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Although it does vary slightly from batch to batch.You want the sauce to be about the consistency of an Alfredo sauce. It should spread easily, but is not a liquid. I would suggest airing on the side of caution and adding less, mixing the pasta in, and then adding more if necessary for it to achieve the quintessential macaroni and cheese texture.
Add noodles and stir until fully coated in the cheese sauce.If necessary, add more water to achieve the right consistency.
Bake Macaroni & Cheese
Pour macaroni and cheese into greased baking dish.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top begins to brown.
Let cool slightly and cut into 2-inch squares. Serve immediately.
Tips, Tricks, & Notes
*I used a cheddar/gruyère blend with roasted roasted red pepper and cracked peppercorn. You can mix and match any semi-soft or semi-hard cheese here, though. I want to say that I only bought this because it was there for a limited time at Costco and I absolutely cannot turn down a good deal on cheese. It's more difficult to make macaroni and cheese with very soft or very hard cheeses. Anything from provolone to gouda is fine, though. You can also add in chopped up roasted red peppers to a white cheddar to add a similar flavor profile to this recipe.
You can reheat macaroni in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. However, macaroni and cheese doesn't necessarily reheat well! After refrigeration, the noodles typically harden and the lasagna tends to dry out. The pasta will likely overcook during this process. And the cheese tends to separate and get oily if you reheat too rapidly.
Whatever you do, absolutely do not put macaroni and cheese in the microwave!!
Alternatively, you can reheat on the stovetop. Just place in a skillet with a lid and slowly bring the heat to medium. When the macaroni begins to soften, carefully spear with a silicone spatula to separate. Continue to heat with the lid on and stir occasionally. You may need to add additional milk or Greek yogurt to this to help prevent the noodles from drying out and the cheese from separating.
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