White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
plus more as needed
- 16 ounces white cheddar cheese
freshly grated, equiv to about 4 cups grated
- plus more to taste½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slices white sandwich bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- 2
Cook pasta in generously salted water, according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 3
Microwave the milk for a few seconds to bring it to room temperature. Set aside.
- 4
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat until just melted, don’t let it burn. Gradually stir in the flour, whisking to incorporate. Whisk constantly for about 3 minutes, until slightly thickened. This is called a roux. At this point, the roux should be a bit pale yellow color and should begin to smell a bit nutty. Tip: Don’t rush this process as the raw flour needs to be cooked. Be careful not to let it burn.
- 5
Gradually, add the milk, stirring to incorporate. Continue stirring until it thickens - it will thicken as it heats up. Tip: You can turn up the heat momentarily just to get it going and then reduce back to medium-low.
- 6
Add the grated cheese and stir until evenly combined and melted. At this point, you can add more milk to taste if the sauce is too thick. Season with garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
- 7
Add the cooked pasta (drained) into the sauce and stir until well combined. Turn off the heat.
- 8
Make the herb crumb topping: In a food processor, pulse the herbed bread crumb topping ingredients to make breadcrumbs.
- 9
Transfer the prepared mac and cheese to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top it with the prepared herbed breadcrumbs evenly.
- 10
Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food that tastes even better than your favorite restaurant? This White Cheddar Mac and Cheese recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and incredibly cheesy experience right to your table, perfect for satisfying those deep cravings.
What sets this mac and cheese apart is its deep, amazing cheesy flavor, derived from a generous amount of freshly grated white cheddar, combined with a smooth, velvety sauce. It's then baked to perfection with a homemade herbed breadcrumb topping, adding an irresistible textural contrast that elevates every bite.
Prepare yourself for a truly indulgent experience. You'll find a luxurious, rich, and smooth cheese sauce coating every piece of cavatappi pasta, bursting with the sharp, complex notes of white cheddar. The baked herbed breadcrumb topping, made with fresh white sandwich bread, melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, provides a delightful crispness against the creamy interior. This dish is designed to be the highlight of any meal, a classic comfort that warms you from the inside out.
While cavatappi provides excellent pockets for the creamy sauce, feel free to experiment with other sturdy pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or medium shells. You could also explore adding a touch of another cheese, like a sharp Gruyère, alongside the white cheddar for added complexity. For the breadcrumb topping, if Italian seasoning isn't on hand, a mix of dried oregano and thyme would work beautifully.
This White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where hearty, satisfying comfort food is desired. Serve it as a stand-alone star or alongside simple roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad to complete the meal.