Joanna Gaines Mac And Cheese With Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lbdried pasta like elbow macaroni
shells, or penne
- 5 tbspunsalted butter
- ½ call-purpose flour
- 5 cmilk
warmed, whole or 2% reduced fat preferred
- 1 lbwhite cheddar cheese
shredded
- 4 ozcream cheese
softened, optional
- ½ tspfine sea salt
- ½ tspfresh ground black pepper
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions indicate, then drain thoroughly.
- 2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously until it forms a thick paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the mixture smells toasted and turns a light brown color.
- 3
Slowly pour in one third of the warm milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Once smooth and thickened, repeat with the next third, then the final third, whisking well after each addition to ensure a creamy sauce.
- 4
Continue cooking and whisking the sauce until it starts to simmer and thickens to a creamy, velvety consistency.
- 5
Reduce heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until mostly melted. Gradually add the shredded white cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring continuously until fully melted and smooth.
- 6
Add the salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste. If the flavor is not bold enough, add a little more salt incrementally.
- 7
Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. The sauce might seem slightly excessive initially, but the pasta will absorb it as it rests.
- 8
Cover the pot with a lid and let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to soak up the sauce. Stir again before serving warm.
Joanna Gaines Mac And Cheese With Cream Cheese Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving a truly exceptional homemade mac and cheese that feels both comforting and a little bit fancy? This Joanna Gaines-inspired recipe, featuring the secret weapon of cream cheese, delivers an incredibly rich and creamy experience that's miles beyond the box.What sets this mac and cheese apart is the thoughtful combination of classic white cheddar with a generous helping of cream cheese, which melts into the sauce to create an unbelievably smooth, velvety texture. This ensures every bite is pure indulgence, making it a standout twist on a timeless comfort food favorite. The rich white cheddar provides that essential sharp, cheesy depth.Prepare yourself for a mac and cheese experience that redefines comfort. You'll enjoy a luxuriously thick and smooth cheese sauce, lovingly coating perfectly cooked pasta. The flavor profile is a harmonious blend of sharp, savory white cheddar with a subtle tang and an unparalleled creamy richness from the cream cheese. This is the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, offering a satisfying and indulgent main course with around 460 calories per serving. It's designed to be effortlessly delicious, bringing that comforting homemade feel to your table.While elbow macaroni is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like shells or penne to capture all that luscious sauce. The cream cheese is key to this recipe's signature richness, but if you prefer a more traditional cheddar mac, you can adjust the amount or even omit it, though you'll miss some of that distinctive creaminess.This homemade mac and cheese is perfectly suited for a cozy family dinner or as a star dish when entertaining guests. It stands beautifully on its own as a main course, promising to be a crowd-pleaser.