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Expert Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese

Published on 11/03/2023 · 5 min readCheesy, gooey, and crispy comfort goodness. This childhood staple can be jazzed up in many different ways to cater to kids and adults alike!
Charlene F, Kitchen Expert
By Kitchen Expert Charlene F

Is There Any Meal More Comforting Than A Skilled Mac and Cheese? Photo by Barbara Neveu

Stats

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes
  • Serving Size: 6
  • Featured Gear: Viking Cast Iron 10.5” Chef’s Pan with Spout

America owes a debt to Thomas Jefferson, not just for drafting the Declaration of Independence but also for his single-handed love for macaroni and cheese, so much so that he tasked his chef, James Hemmings, with perfecting the recipe for macaroni and cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food and one that you can easily adapt and experiment with. I personally always keep a few boxes of the instant kind stashed for when friends with little ones visit – no one likes a hangry toddler – but one day, I thought, why not make my own since I can improve the nutrition value and the grown-ups might even have some. So try this Skillet Mac and Cheese recipe the next time you have guests over for a lazy, boozy brunch. Its creamy texture, coupled with that tasty golden crust, will bring on a happy food coma for all.

What You’ll Need

  • Viking Cast Iron 10.5” Chef’s Pan with Spout: Keep all the cheesy goodness in one pan for maximum flavor. The heat retention properties of cast iron ensure your mac and cheese gets that all-important crisp factor. Plus, this skillet makes transferring from stovetop to oven to countertop a seamless exercise. An 8” skillet is great for a single person (or for appetizer-sized portions), while a 12” skillet is recommended for a family of four, so a 10.5” is a good in-between. The spout feature also means any leftover sauce can be easily poured out. A word of warning, though – if you have a glass stove top, be careful when you place it down to avoid accidental scratches.
  • All-Clad Stainless Steel Whisk: For a lump-free roux and creamy cheese sauce, don’t skip taking a whisk to it. This model from All-Clad is sturdy and well-made, with a strong grip for effortless whisking.
  • Cuisinart Box Grater with Storage: Using pre-shredded cheese is fine, but freshly grated cheese will melt more evenly. This grater makes sure you don’t lose one shred, and you can also use the zester to add some nutmeg.
  • Cuisinart Colander: If space is not an issue, this may be the only colander you’ll ever need. The sturdy design with stay-cool handles makes draining pasta a breeze.

Ingredients

Photo by Arina P Habich

  • 2tbsp butter (for melting and roux)
  • 2tbsp flour
  • 2c elbow macaroni
  • 2 1/2c milk or heavy cream
  • 1 1/2c sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
  • 1c Monterey jack cheese (grated)
  • 1/2c bread crumbs (preferably Panko bread crumbs)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven & cook the macaroni

Photo by Parinya Art

Preheat the oven to 375°F and place the rack in the middle of the oven. In a large pot, bring 4c water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni to cook until al dente. Once done, drain the macaroni using a colander and set aside. Other types of bite-size pasta can be used, but the benefit of elbow macaroni is that its small size ensures every inch of pasta is coated in cheesy goodness.

Step 2: Prepare your roux sauce

Photo by Moving Moment

In your cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. As the butter begins to bubble, slowly whisk in an equal amount of flour until a paste forms. Keep whisking for another two minutes, ensuring there are no lumps. This roux will be the base for our creamy sauce. You can also opt to do the roux sauce in a saucepot and transfer to the cast iron skillet when ready.

Step 3: Sauce it

Gradually pour in the milk or heavy cream into the iron skillet while continuing to whisk. Be careful not to let the rising steam burn your hands! Allow the mixture to simmer until it thickens slightly. A low heat setting is preferred.

Step 4: Add the cheese

Photo by Africa Studio

Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before slowly adding in grated (preferably room temperature) sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey jack cheese, stirring constantly until fully melted into a creamy, dreamy cheese sauce.

Step 5: Mix in the golden goodness

Photo by kckate16

Mix in the cooked elbow macaroni, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the cheesy goodness. Top it liberally with Panko bread crumbs evenly over the top.

Step 6: Bake it

Photo by Elena Veselova

Carefully place the skillet in the oven for 20 minutes (or when the bread crumbs turn golden brown). Switch over to low broil for the last 5 minutes, but check to make sure it doesn’t burn.

Tips

  • Can’t decide which cheese to use? Aside from sharp cheddar, aged cheddar, Gruyère, Mozzarella, and Parmesan are equally delicious choices. If Velveeta is your jam, cheddar is a good choice pairing.
  • Don’t immediately add cooked macaroni to the sauce – let it cool before adding a dob of butter to give it a subtle, rich flavor.
  • Feeling a little bougie? Grate a hint of nutmeg or paprika right before sprinkling bread crumbs to elevate the overall flavor profile.
  • This is a dish you can make to freeze. Just let the mac and cheese cool before you store it in a freezer-friendly dish that’s air-tight. You can add breadcrumbs right before putting it in the oven.
  • No one says no to mac and cheese, so depending on the occasion – potluck, Thanksgiving, meal train – you can adapt it with different ingredients (lobster, truffles, shredded chicken) or seasonal flavors and make it your signature dish.

Final Thoughts on this Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe

Photo by The Image Party

The beauty of skillet mac and cheese isn’t just the contrasting flavors and textures but also that it is versatile enough to be a side dish or beefed up as a main by adding protein like bacon bits, shredded chicken, and juicy lobster chunks. A meal that brings comforting goodness anytime it’s served, it’s also a dish that all ages enjoy. It's perfect for beginners looking for an easy, rewarding dish, as well as experienced chefs aiming to put a gourmet spin on a classic.

If you need any of the tools to make this recipe or maybe something for one of your own recipes, reach out to any of the Kitchen Experts here on Curated. We will make sure you have everything you need to create some magic in your kitchen, too!

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