Macaroni and Cheese

By AuntieGooper

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for casserole
• 6 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to l/2-inch pieces
• 5 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
• 2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyère or 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 pound elbow macaroni

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place the bread in a medium bowl.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
Pour the melted butter into the bowl with the bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside.

2. Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat.
When the butter bubbles, add the flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.

3. While whisking, slowly pour in the hot milk a little at a time to keep mixture smooth.
Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick, 8 to 12 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper,
3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyère (or 1 cup Pecorino Romano); set the cheese sauce aside.

5. Cover a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil.
Cook the macaroni until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone, 2 to 3 minutes.
Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well.
Stir the macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyère (or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano),
and the breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Transfer the dish to a wire rack for 5 minutes; serve.