Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure with this amazing recipe for Salt-and-Smoke Mac and Cheese from St. Louis. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, this dish is sure to be a hit with friends and family alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 quart whole milk
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 oz shredded gruyere
- 8 oz shredded white cheddar
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package's instructions and set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer.
- While the milk is heating up, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter in a separate, larger saucepan.
- Add the flour to the melted butter and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, nutmeg, black pepper, and kosher salt to the flour-and-butter mixture. Continue to stir until well merged.
- Slowly add the heated milk to the mixture while stirring consistently. Keep doing this until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the gruyere and cheddar and continue to stir until the cheeses are completely melted and well combined with the milk mixture.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and mix in the cooked macaroni.
- Place the mac and cheese mixture in a 9x13 baking pan.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and mix them with the panko and parmesan to make a crumbly topping.
- Sprinkle the panko-and-parmesan mixture over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake the entire dish, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
This recipe makes 8 servings and is perfect for sharing. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or bringing it to your next potluck, everyone will be asking for the recipe once they get a taste of this salty and smoky dish. So why wait? Head to your kitchen and start cooking up a storm today!