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Chef John's Panko Mac and Cheese

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PREP TIME
15 min
COOKING TIME
45 min
TOTAL TIME
60 min
SERVINGS
6 servings
Dinner
Chef John's Panko Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
  • 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to a high temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
2
Fill a large container with water and add a small amount of salt. Place the container over high heat on your stovetop and bring the water to a rolling boil.
3
Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a slightly firm texture when bitten into, approximately 8 minutes.
4
Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside for later use.
5
Melt a quarter cup of butter in a large cooking vessel over medium heat. When the butter starts to froth and bubble, add some flour; cook on medium heat until the mixture begins to turn a pale shade of yellow, around 3 to 4 minutes.
6
Add some dried thyme, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and white pepper to the mixture; cook for another minute before whisking in a full cup of milk until it becomes smooth.
7
Pour the remaining milk into the mixture and whisk again to combine. Bring the sauce just to a gentle simmer.
8
Add some salt, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce; cook on medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until it thickens up, around 8 minutes.
9
Turn the heat off and add two and a quarter cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until it melts and combines with the sauce.
10
Mix in some Dijon mustard to give the dish a bit of zing.
11
Transfer the cooked pasta into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine the pasta with the sauce.
12
Mix together some panko bread crumbs and a small amount of melted butter in a tiny bowl.
13
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the pasta and cheese. Sprinkle some remaining Cheddar cheese on top.
14
Bake the dish in your preheated oven until the top is golden brown, approximately 20 minutes.