I am making my Easter dinner grocery list and wanted to share this recipe. I buy almost everything at Trader Joe's, regular grocery stores may not have all the cheeses. Enjoy!
Eclaire?s World Famous Easter Dinner Mac & Cheese
12 tbsp unsalted butter plus more for baking dish (room temp)
3 cups good white crusty bread, cut into ? inch pieces (I use Mrs Cubbisons stuffing mix, 1/2 pkg)
4 cups (1 quart) half & half (room temp)
1 cup milk
? cup all purpose flour
2 tsp salt (I omit all salt, cheese is salty enough)
1 tsp black pepper
? tsp red pepper flakes (I use more, make it a little spicy)
1 tsp garlic powder
? tsp nutmeg
2 cups white extra sharp cheese, shredded
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups swiss cheese, shredded
1 ? cup romano cheese, shredded
1 lb large macaroni with grooves
Preheat oven to 325. Butter and set aside 9 x 13 casserole dish. Place bread in medium bowl. Melt 4 tbsp butter and ? tsp garlic powder. Pour butter into the bowl with bread and toss. Set bread crumbs aside.
Melt 6 tbsps butter in large sauce pan over medium heat. When butter is melted, add flour. Cook, whisking, for 1 minute. While whisking, slowly pour in milk and add 1 ? tsp salt, ? tsp pepper, ? tsp red pepper, ? tsp garlic powder and nutmeg. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
Remove pan from heat. Stir in 1 cup of white extra sharp cheese, 1 cup swiss, and 1 cup romano, set cheese sauce aside. Blend remaining cheese together.
Fill large saucepan with water, bring to boil. Add macaroni, cook 2 ? 3 minutes less than package instructs. Drain and rinse macaroni with cold water. Add salt and pepper to taste and add 2 tbsp butter. Stir cheese sauce into macaroni.
Pour mixture into the 9 x 13 dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and spread bread crumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Cool 5 min before serving.
Re: Recipe No One Asked For
Newlyweds since 2007
Ditto this! LOL! Seriously, is there anything better than a true homemade mac and cheese... and for Easter! You rock, am I invited?
I love Hawaii!
Tara & Ian . 4/24/2008 . The Kahala Planning . Married
I miss Trader Joe's!!!!! I keep trying to campaign for one in Denver with no such luck
Receipe looks fantastic, I might just have to try it out!
| Olowalu, Maui ~ August 6, 2008 |
| Family of 4 ~ April 2, 2011 |
| Family of 5 - October 24, 2012 |
mmmm I love homemade mac n cheese
i'm also jealous you live near a TJ's!
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Glad you guys enjoyed reading about the 80 million calorie mac & cheese!
Surfinbride, I love you. Anyone willing to use voodoo to get their ex in check is alright with me!
Amy and Tara, I will set places at the table for you and your families!
This! I'm gonna save the recipe and try it out sometime soon! Thanks!