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Cook's Illustrated Classic Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Cook's Illustrated Classic Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Cook's Illustrated Classic Macaroni and Cheese

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Ingredients:

Serving

6 slices white sandwich bread ( hearty and torn into rough pieces)
3 tbsp unsalted butter (cold and cut into 6 pieces)
1 lb elbow macaroni
table salt
5 tbsp unsalted butter
6 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
5 cups milk
8 oz monterey jack cheese, shredded
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

For the bread-crumb topping: Pulse bread and butter in food processor until crumbs are about 1/8 inch, ten to fifteen 1-second pulses. Set aside.
For the pasta and cheese: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler.
Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat.
Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt. Cook until pasta is tender. Drain pasta and set aside in colander.
In now-empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming.
Add flour, mustard, and cayenne and whisk well to combine.
Continue whisking until mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in milk and bring mixture to a boil, whisking constantly (mixture must reach full boil to fully thicken).
Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes.
Off heat, whisk in cheeses and 1 teaspoon salt until cheeses are fully melted.
Add pasta and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes.
Transfer mixture to broiler-safe 13x9 inch baking dish and sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs.
Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning.
Cool about 5 minutes, then serve.

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	544.82 Kcal (2281 kJ)
Calories from fat	229.49 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	25.5g	39%
Cholesterol	73.28mg	24%
Sodium	318.47mg	13%
Potassium	400.36mg	9%
Total Carbs	55.56g	19%
Sugars	9.66g	39%
Dietary Fiber	1.92g	8%
Protein	22.94g	46%
Vitamin C	0.1mg	0%
Vitamin A	0.7mg	24%
Iron	2mg	11%
Calcium	512.4mg	51%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	189.45 Kcal (793 kJ)
Calories from fat	79.8 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	8.87g	39%
Cholesterol	25.48mg	24%
Sodium	110.75mg	13%
Potassium	139.22mg	9%
Total Carbs	19.32g	19%
Sugars	3.36g	39%
Dietary Fiber	0.67g	8%
Protein	7.98g	46%
Vitamin A	0.2mg	24%
Iron	0.7mg	11%
Calcium	178.2mg	51%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

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