There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm and gooey mac and cheese dish to brighten up your dinner table. And when it’s baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet, you know you’re in for a treat! Today, I’m sharing with you my recipe for Cast Iron Skillet Baked Mac & Cheese.
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, cook one pound of elbow macaroni according to the package instructions, but make sure to leave it a bit al dente. Once it’s cooked, strain the macaroni and set it aside in a large bowl.
Now, it’s time to make the cheese sauce! In a medium saucepan, melt four tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, whisk in a quarter cup of all-purpose flour to create a roux. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and bubbly.
Next, add two cups of whole milk and one and a half cups of heavy cream to the roux, whisking to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat and let it cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add two cups of shredded Cheddar cheese, one cup of shredded Gouda cheese, one cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a half cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Add a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mixture, then add two beaten eggs and stir again.
Now, it’s time to transfer the mac and cheese to a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Smooth out the top of the mixture with a spatula, then sprinkle a half cup of bread crumbs over the top.
Bake the skillet in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy. Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve hot!
This Cast Iron Skillet Baked Mac & Cheese is sure to become a family favorite. The combination of different cheeses creates a rich and flavorful sauce, while the crispy bread crumbs on top add a satisfying crunch to each bite. It’s the perfect comfort food dish for any day of the week!
