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Hey there, comfort food lovers! There’s something about mac and cheese that just feels like a warm hug. But wait let’s take it up a notch and bring in some brown butter magic! This Brown Butter Mac and Cheese Recipe is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for cozy nights in or impressing guests at your next dinner party. Get ready to dive into this cheesy goodness!
Method
Cook the Pasta
Start by cooking the pasta just shy of al dente, which means it should still have a bit of bite to it. This is crucial because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. This starchy water will come in handy later to adjust the thickness of your cheese sauce if needed. Once the pasta is ready, drain it and set it aside.
Make the Brown Butter
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. As the butter melts, it will foam up. Keep whisking the butter constantly to prevent burning. Continue whisking until the butter begins to form small brown flecks at the bottom of the pan. This process is the key to making brown butter, which gives the dish a rich, nutty flavor. Once you see these brown flecks, you know it’s time to move on to the next step.
Whisk in the Flour
Immediately whisk in the flour once the brown flecks appear. Continue cooking and whisking the mixture for about one minute. This step helps to form the base of your sauce and gives it the perfect thickness. You want the flour to absorb the butter and form a smooth, thickened paste before moving on.
Add the Milk
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and begins to thicken. This should take about 5-7 minutes over medium heat. Keep whisking continuously to ensure the sauce doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. The result should be a smooth, creamy sauce that’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Stir in the Spices
Once your sauce is thick and smooth, remove the pan from the heat. Now it’s time to add the flavor! Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. This combination of spices will give your mac and cheese the perfect balance of savory, slightly smoky, and subtly sweet flavors. Stir everything together until the spices are fully incorporated into the sauce.
Add the Cheese
Begin adding your shredded cheeses. Start with 1 cup of each of the gouda, white cheddar, and sharp cheddar, stirring constantly until each cup is completely melted before adding the next. Repeat this step, adding another 1 cup of each cheese, until all the cheese is incorporated into the sauce. The sauce should become thick, creamy, and silky smooth, coated with that irresistible cheesy goodness.
Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce
Now that your cheese sauce is ready, it’s time to bring it all together. Add the drained pasta to the saucepan and stir until the pasta is completely coated in the creamy cheese sauce. If the sauce seems a little too thick, slowly add some of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. The pasta water helps to thin out the sauce while maintaining its creaminess.
Assemble the Dish
Pour half of the cheesy pasta mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Spread it out evenly across the dish. Then, sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheese on top. Layer the second half of the pasta mixture over the cheese, and finish with the remaining cheese. This will create a perfect cheesy crust once it bakes.
Bake the Mac and Cheese
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the mac and cheese for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it bakes the cheese on top should become bubbly and golden brown, forming a deliciously crispy crust. Once it’s out of the oven, let it sit for a few minutes to set before serving.
Necessary Tools
- Large saucepan
- Whisk
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Strainer
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Brown Butter Mac And Cheese Recipe
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
6
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
30
minutesTotal time
45
minutesIngredients
1 lb pasta
6 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
4 cups milk
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
3 cups gouda, shredded
3 cups white cheddar, shredded
3 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
Directions
- Start by cooking the pasta just shy of al dente. Don’t forget to save 1 cup of pasta water this will help with the sauce later! Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk constantly as the butter foams up, and keep going until you see small brown flecks forming. This is when the magic happens! Now, whisk in the flour and cook for another minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Then, start adding your shredded cheeses. First, stir in 1 cup of each cheese, letting it melt in. Add another cup of each cheese, and keep whisking until everything is melted and smooth.
- Combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is completely coated in that creamy goodness. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Now, let’s get baking! Pour half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheeses on top. Then, layer on the rest of the pasta mixture, and finish with the remaining cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is all bubbly and golden brown on top. It’s time to dig in!
Notes
- Be careful while making the brown butter. The butter can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly, so keep an eye on it! Once you see those brown flecks, it’s time to add the flour.
- When adding the milk to the flour and butter mixture, pour slowly and keep whisking to avoid any lumps. This will ensure your sauce stays silky smooth.
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook in the oven, and we want that perfect balance of soft yet firm pasta.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair this Brown Butter Mac and Cheese with a fresh salad to balance out the richness.
- Serve alongside crispy chicken tenders or a juicy steak for a full meal.
- For a veggie twist, try adding roasted broccoli or sautéed spinach to the dish before baking.
Fun Fact
Did you know that mac and cheese is often called “the ultimate comfort food”? It’s been loved by people for centuries! The first recorded recipe for mac and cheese was found in a 1769 cookbook. Looks like we’ve been enjoying this cheesy goodness for a long time!
Conclusion
There you have it an irresistible Brown Butter Mac and Cheese that’s creamy, cheesy, and full of that extra flavor boost we all need. This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re enjoying a cozy night at home or celebrating with family and friends. Give it a try and watch it become your new favorite comfort food! Enjoy!
