Murray’s Better than Basic Mac & Cheese

 

Béchamel

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in flour. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until mixture gets slightly darker in color. Add milk to the butter and flour mixture and stir constantly until it comes to a boil. Once the Béchamel boils, it will start to thicken. Once thick whisk in the cheeses, stirring until melted.
  2. Stir in the cooked pasta until well combined.
  3. Pour into a large baking dish, Dutch oven or cast iron pan and Bake at 375 degree oven for 25 – 30 minutes until lightly browned on top.

Serves: 6-8 people.

Murray’s French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

Brilliant: combine two classic winter warmers into one delicious dish. Creamy, pungent Scharfe Maxx is the star here. It melts like a dream and its big, oniony flavor makes this mac over the top savory.

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INGREDIENTS

Béchamel

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  1. In a large sauté pan set over medium-low heat, add the onions and olive oil and cook until caramelized, about 40 minutes. Be attentive, don’t overstir. When nicely browned and very soft, place in a bowl and set aside.
  2. In the same pan set over medium high heat, cook pancetta until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and reserve pancetta.
  3. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in flour. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until mixture gets slightly darker in color. Add milk to the butter and flour mixture and stir constantly until it comes to a boil. Once the Béchamel boils, it will start to thicken. Once thick whisk in the cheeses, stirring until melted.
  4. Stir in the cooked pasta, the onions and the pancetta until well combined.
  5. Pour into a large baking dish, Dutch oven or cast iron pan and Bake at 375 degree oven for 45 minutes until lightly browned on top.

Creamy Mac & Cheese For Kids

Kids tend to like the boxed stuff, but this version will win them over with gooey goodness (and none of the yucky processed stuff). Fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano makes this a dish grown-ups will love, too!

 

INGREDIENTS

Directions

  1. Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large pot. Add salt and pasta. Cook pasta al dente following manufacturer’s instructions. Drain pasta, then pour onto a large lipped baking sheet to cool and prevent sticking while preparing sauce.
  2. Lightly heat the milk and broth in a sauce pan. Melt butter in the empty pasta pot; whisk in flour, followed by warm milk mixture. Continue to whisk until thick and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard & Parmigiano. Turn off heat, stir in grated Gouda until melted.
  3. Add drained pasta to sauce, and stir until everything is well combined over low heat. Stir to heat through, and thin with a little water if the sauce is too thick. Serve hot.