SKILLET MAC N CHEESE

Ingredients

For the Pasta

  • 1 lb (454 g) pasta (your choice)

For the Breadcrumb Topping

  • ¾ cup (60 g) seasoned breadcrumbs

  • 2 tbsp (28 g) butter, melted

For the Cheese Sauce

  • 2½ cups (600 ml) whole milk

  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

  • ¼ cup (57 g) butter

  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup (100 g) gruyere, shredded

  • 1 cup (100 g) parmesan, shredded

  • 1 cup (113 g) gouda, shredded

  • 1 cup (113 g) cheddar, shredded

  • 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella, shredded

  • ½ tsp (1 g) nutmeg

  • 1 tsp (2 g) cayenne pepper

  • 2 tsp (12 g) salt

  • 1 tsp (2 g) black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Make the breadcrumb topping by mixing breadcrumbs with melted butter. Set aside.

  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

  4. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.

  5. Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking and simmering until thickened, about 5 minutes, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

  6. Whisk in the cheeses 1 cup at a time or by the handful, allowing each addition to melt before adding more.

  7. Stir in nutmeg, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.

  8. Add cooked pasta and toss until fully coated in the cheese sauce.

  9. Sprinkle additional shredded cheese evenly over the top, then add the breadcrumb topping.

  10. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.

Additional Notes

  • Cayenne pepper is completely optional. I would never put it in mac and cheese I wasn’t making specifically for myself.

  • Nutmeg is a must. Omit it if you want, but like I said—you’re wrong.

  • Use whatever cheeses you like. I used these because I like them. I almost never add mozzarella; I only did it for this video hoping for a better cheese pull, and it didn’t really make much of a difference.

  • Mac and cheese is extremely versatile. Add crab and it’s crab mac and cheese. Add bacon and it’s bacon mac and cheese. Add ground beef and it’s cheeseburger mac and cheese. The world is yours—explore it.