Recipe

Creamy Mac & Cheese

Indulge in ultra-creamy baked mac and cheese made with Boar's Head® Vermont Cheddar and Gruyere, tender cavatappi pasta, and a golden panko topping — an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday side dish that doubles as the ultimate comfort food casserole.

Total Time40 mins

Ingredients


1lb
Elbow or cavatappi pasta
1tsp
Olive oil
16oz
Vermont Cheddar Cheese - White, shredded, (approx. 4 cups)
8oz
Blanc Grue® Gruyere Cheese, shredded, (approx. 2 cups)
½cup
Unsalted butter, 1 stick
½cup
All-purpose flour
cups
Whole milk
cups
Half & half
½tbsp
Salt
½tbsp
Black pepper
¼tbsp
Paprika
½cup
Panko breadcrumbs
1tbsp
Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions


  1. 01Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 3-quart or 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. 02Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente. Drain, then drizzle with olive oil and toss to prevent sticking.
  3. 03In a large bowl, combine the shredded Boar's Head® Vermont Cheddar Cheese and shredded Boar's Head® Gruyere Cheese. Divide the mixed cheese into three portions: (1) About 3 cups for the sauce, (2) 1 1/2 cups for the middle layer, and (3) 1 1/2 cups for the topping.
  4. 04In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for about 1 minute, whisking often, until smooth and slightly bubbly.
  5. 05Slowly add the milk and half & half in stages, whisking between pours until smooth. Continue whisking and cooking over medium heat until the mixture becomes very thick, similar to a semi-thinned condensed soup.
  6. 06Stir in salt, black pepper, and paprika. Add 3 cups of the mixed cheeses in two additions, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
  7. 07In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
  8. 08Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the mixed cheeses. Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
  9. 09Sprinkle the top with panko breadcrumbs and the final 1 1/2 cups of mixed cheeses. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
  10. 10Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, serve warm, and enjoy.

Made with

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