Make it Your Way Mac & Cheese

How it Works

In this special, first of it's kind customizable recipe, you get to choose every step of the way, how you'd like to put your recipe together. Or maybe you'll be inspired looking at all the various approaches to do your own special twist. All combinations are designed to work together seamlessly. I hope you enjoy your special combination!
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Pasta Foundation

Whichever method you choose, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water right before draining; it’s the secret to achieving a silky, unified sauce. If baking, preheat oven to 375º F.

Option: The Essential Elbow {id:pasta.elbow}

The classic, familiar choice.

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add...

• 16 oz dry elbow macaroni
• 1 tbsp kosher salt

Cook until al dente then drain and set aside.

Option: Gourmet Shapes {id:pasta.gourmet, cooktime:+2, cost:+1}

Ridges and curves that hold onto every drop of sauce.

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add...

• 16 oz dry cavatappi, large shells, or orecchiette pasta
• 1 tbsp kosher salt

Cook until al dente then drain and set aside.

Option: The Scratch Noodle {id:pasta.fresh, preptime:+15, passivetime:+30, cooktime:-5, skill:hard}

Tender, chewy, and worth the extra effort.

Knead into a smooth dough...

• 400 g "00" flour
• 4 large eggs

Rest 30 minutes, then roll into sheets and cut into 1/2-inch squares or small shapes. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add...

• 1 tbsp kosher salt

Boil the pasta 3-5 minutes until tender but firm, then drain and set aside.

Aromatic Start

Heat the fat in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté aromatics until soft and fragrant...

Option: Pure Cheesiness {id:aromatics.none}

Nothing but cheese, pure and simple.

(Proceed directly to the Cream Base & Thickening step)

Option: Classic Onion & Garlic {id:aromatics.onion-garlic, preptime:+5, cooktime:+6}

Sweet, savory, and timeless.

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant...

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced

Add to the pan and cook 1 minute more before proceeding...

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Option: Smoky Bacon {id:aromatics.bacon, preptime:+5, cooktime:+10, cost:+1}

Salty, smoky, and hard to resist.

Cook until crispy...

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced

Transfer bacon to a paper towel, leaving the rendered fat in the pan as the base for the next step.

Option: Earthy Mushrooms {id:aromatics.mushrooms, preptime:+5, cooktime:+15, cost:+1}

Deep, earthy, and satisfyingly meaty.

Sauté for 8 minutes until all liquid evaporates and they are deeply browned...

• 2 tbsp butter
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

Cream Base & Thickening

{for:aromatics.bacon} Note: If you can, use the rendered bacon fat in place of the butter listed in these options.

Option: The Classic Roux Béchamel {id:base.roux}

A reliable, traditional sauce base with excellent cling.

In your large skillet, melt over medium heat and cook 1-2 minutes until bubbling...

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Slowly stream in while whisking constantly to prevent lumps...

• 3 cups whole milk

Simmer 3-5 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

Option: The Modernist (No Roux) {id:base.evap-milk, preptime:-5, cooktime:-2, cost:+1}

The smoothest, velvet-like sauce, effortlessly emulsified.

In your large skillet, bring to a simmer over medium heat...

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cans (12 oz each) evaporated whole milk

Option: The Southern Custard (For Baking Only) {id:base.custard, cost:+1, skill:medium, for:cook.bake}

A richer, firmer, almost sliceable texture designed to set in the oven.

In a separate large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together until combined...

• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream

Add your hot cooked pasta to the bowl.

Option: The Dairy-Free Alternative {id:base.dairy-free, preptime:+5, passivetime:+30, cooktime:-2, cost:+1, skill:medium}

Creamy, rich, and full of umami without any animal products.

Soak in hot water for 30 minutes then drain...

• 1 cup raw cashews

Add soaked cashews to a high-speed blender along with...

• 2 cups oat milk
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp tapioca starch
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt

Pour mixture into a large pot and simmer 3 minutes until thickened. The nutritional yeast gives this sauce its cheesy flavor, so no separate cheese step is needed — proceed straight to Assembly & Cooking Method.

Ultimate Cheese Blend {hide-for:base.dairy-free}

Turn off the heat (or remove your liquid base from the heat), and whisk in the cheese blend gradually, one handful at a time, until completely melted and smooth.

Option: Classic Comfort {id:cheese.comfort}

Sharp, melty, and nostalgic.

• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Option: The Gourmet Four-Cheese {id:cheese.gourmet, cost:+1}

Decadent, complex, and sophisticated flavor.

• 2 cups shredded Fontina or Gruyère cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese

Option: Bold & Spicy {id:cheese.spicy}

Kick up the heat.

• 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
• 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Assembly & Cooking Method

Combine pasta and sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed (1/4 cup at a time) to adjust consistency until the sauce is creamy and clings to every noodle. Fold in any sautéed bacon or mushrooms now.

Option: Golden Casserole Bake {id:cook.bake, cooktime:+20}

Bubbling, comforting, and made for sharing.

Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Fold the pasta and sauce together, transfer to the dish, and bake 15-20 minutes until bubbling and slightly set.

Option: The Broiler Crackle {id:cook.broil, cooktime:+5}

Stovetop creaminess with a crispy top.

Combine on the stovetop and transfer to an oven-safe skillet or broiler-safe dish. Adjust oven rack 5 inches below broiler and set broiler to HIGH.

Option: Stovetop (Instant Gratification) {id:cook.stovetop}

Ready in minutes and gloriously creamy.

Combine pasta, aromatics, and sauce in your pot. Simmer gently on low heat for 1 minute just to thicken. Serve immediately.

Final Finishes & Toppings

{id:finish-addition.bacon-herb, for:aromatics.bacon} Garnish with...

• Reserved crispy bacon, crumbled
• 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped

{for:aromatics.mushrooms} Garnish with...

• Reserved sautéed mushrooms

Choose your interchangeable topping texture option:

Option: Panko Crust {id:finish.crust, preptime:+2, for:cook.bake|cook.broil}

Light, crunchy, and buttery.

Requires baking or broiling. Mix together and sprinkle over the mac right before it goes in the oven or under the broiler...

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Option: Golden Cheese Crust {id:finish.cheese-crust, preptime:+1, cost:+1, for:cook.bake|cook.broil}

Melts and browns into a golden, crackly lid.

Requires baking or broiling. Toss together and scatter evenly over the mac right before it goes in the oven or under the broiler...

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Option: Potato Chip Crunch {id:finish.chips, preptime:+1}

Salty, crunchy, and a little bit cheeky.

Crush over the finished, plated mac just before serving...

• 1 cup crushed plain or jalapeño potato chips

Option: The Standard Smooth {id:finish.smooth}

Creamy and unadorned, just as it is.

(Proceed to serve immediately)