The Best Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

The Best Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

  • 4 cups dried cavatappi
  • 1 whole egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2-1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup white cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup Muenster cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup smoked Gouda cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup Harvarti cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers,
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Cook cavatappi until very firm and drain.
  2. In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Be careful not to let it burn.
  3. Pour in milk and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.
  4. Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into a small bowl with the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
  5. Add in cheese and stir to melt. Add seasonings.
  6. Pour in drained, cooked cavatappi and stir to combine.
  7. Mix together the bread crumbs and butter. Pour macaroni and cheese into a buttered baking dish, top with bread crumbs, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees F or until golden on top.