It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away! If you're anything like me, you're starting to think about your menu for the big meal. Today, we're sharing one of my family's favorite Thanksgiving side dishes - baked mac and cheese. This recipe is adapted from Chef Derrick Turton's recipe and uses seven different cheeses, included smoked cheddar cheese and smoked gouda cheese. The smokiness from the cheeses add a depth of flavor that is unique and delicious.
If you're short on time on the day of Thanksgiving, you can also make this recipe the day before and wait to bake it until 30 minutes before your meal is served!
What you'll need for this recipe:
1 lb elbow macaroni
4 T butter
1 T flour
1 quart heavy cream
Garlic powder, freshly ground black pepper, and seasoning salt, to taste
2 cups smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups Lancaster County sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
2 cups marble cheese, shredded
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13 pan and set aside.
Bring a heavily salted pot of water to boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
While the water is coming to a boil, begin your roux. In a large pot on low heat, add the butter. When butter is melted, sprinkle in the flour, and whisk continually until it is a smooth, thick paste. Slowly add the heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Add garlic powder, pepper, and seasoning salt to taste.
Slowly add the cheddars, mozzarella, Gouda, Swiss, and Parmesan to the roux. Stir well after each addition until the sauce is smooth.
When the macaroni has finished cooking, drain, add into the pot with the cheese sauce, and stir gently to combine.
Pour mac and cheese mixture into buttered pan. Top with marble cheese and panko bread crumbs.
Bake for 25 minutes.
As always, if you make this meal, we would love to hear about it. Please let us know in the comments or be sure to tag us on social media. Thanks for joining us for Stoltzfus Eats… where feeding you is our pleasure!