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Thanksgiving Mac Cheese

Creamy Thanksgiving Mac Cheese That Steals the Show

This Thanksgiving Mac Cheese features a creamy cheese sauce with sharp cheddar and Gruyère, making it a delightful side dish for your holiday table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni Feel free to swap with any similar pasta shape.
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 2 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded, aged varieties add depth.
  • 1 cup Gruyère Cheese Can be substituted with Emmental.
  • 3 cup Whole Milk Use heavy cream for a richer sauce.
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter Margarine can be used as a substitute.
  • ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour Opt for gluten-free flour if needed.
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs Regular breadcrumbs can be substituted.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Medium saucepan
  • whisk
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a large baking dish with butter.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 6-8 minutes until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  3. Melt 4 tbsp of unsalted butter in a saucepan, whisk in ¼ cup of flour, and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux.
  4. Gradually add 3 cups of whole milk to the roux, whisking constantly until thickened and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth.
  6. Combine the drained macaroni and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, stirring well.
  7. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish, top with 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
  8. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Using fresh grated cheese helps avoid a grainy texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.