MAC KITCHEN KNIVES RECIPES

Steps:

• Make the macaroni and cheese: Bring a large pot or Dutch oven of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water until cool to the touch, and set aside to drain thoroughly.
• In the now-empty pot, heat 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add the flour, salt, mustard, and cayenne if using and whisk well to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer, whisking frequently.
• Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, whisking frequently, until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add both cheeses and whisk until smooth and fully melted. Set aside until cooled to just warm to the touch, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and place in a medium bowl. Add the cracker crumbs and stir to combine; set aside.
• When the sauce is cooled, add the pasta and stir to combine. Transfer to a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• When ready to bake: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. While the oven is heating, let the baking dish sit out at room temperature.
• Bake covered until heated through and bubbling around the edges, about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden-brown, about 15 minutes more. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375°F (180°C).
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. While the pasta is still warm, drizzle with the olive oil and stir well.
• Return the saucepan to medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, stirring well, until the flour is thoroughly incorporated, 1 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk, half-and-half, nutmeg and a generous pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer, whisking frequently to smooth out any lumps, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add a pinch of pepper and two-thirds each of the Gruyère and cheddar. Stir until smooth.
• Pour the cheese sauce onto the macaroni and stir well. Transfer to a Le Creuset 2.75-quart shallow oven or large baking dish with a similar capacity and top with the remaining one-third Gruyère and cheddar and all of the Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly with the panko. Bake until the top is lightly browned and the sauce is bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 6.
• Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen