Ah, mac and cheese. One of the most beloved comfort foods in America. And while there are many variations on the classic recipe, today I want to share with you a particularly delicious twist on this classic dish: David’s Tillamook baked mac-n-cheese.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound elbow macaroni
– 4 tablespoons Tillamook unsalted butter
– 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 cups whole milk
– 2 cups Tillamook shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup Tillamook shredded Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions, but stop a minute or two before the suggested cooking time to ensure the macaroni remains al dente once baked. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.
3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Cook the mixture for one minute, stirring constantly.
4. Slowly add the milk to the flour-and-butter mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for about five minutes, or until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the macaroni is evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a greased 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
8. Bake the macaroni and cheese for about 25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Of course, using Tillamook cheese in this recipe is key to achieving the best flavor possible. And while this mac and cheese may not be the healthiest dish around, it certainly is delicious and perfect for a cozy night in or a special occasion.
So the next time you’re craving mac and cheese, try out David’s Tillamook baked version. You won’t be disappointed!