HOW TO MELT CHEESE FOR MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain.
• In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, saute the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until soft. Add the 5 tablespoons butter to the onion mixture and melt the butter stirring with a wooden spoon.
• Using a whisk, add the flour, and stir constantly until well mixed with the fat making a roux. Whisk in the mustard. Gradually add the milk and cream whisking constantly.
• Add the thyme, bay leaf, and salt. Let come to a simmer and stir frequently for 15 minutes.
• Strain the hot milk mixture into a metal bowl and discard the solids. Working quickly, mix in 1 cup fontina, blue cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere, 1/2 cup white Cheddar, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the reserved bacon, and parsley. Continue to stir until all cheese is melted.
• Add the cooked noodles to the cheese mixture to coat. Add the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Mix the remaining cheese and bread crumbs together and sprinkle on top of the noodles. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven when done and rest for 5 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a baking dish.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until still firm. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the celery, broccoli and onion and cook, stirring, until the vegetables soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to mash some of the broccoli. Sprinkle on the flour and dry mustard and stir to coat the vegetables. Pour in the milk, broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, to allow it to warm up.
• Add the Cheddar, processed cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and some salt and pepper and stir to melt the cheese. Add the macaroni and stir. Taste and check for seasoning. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Combine the breadcrumbs and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan in a small bowl and sprinkle over the dish. Bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes.