Test Kitchens Favorite Mac And Cheese Food

TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil pasta in a medium pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
• Return empty pot to medium heat and add butter. When butter melts and foams, add flour and whisk until darkened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add mustard powder and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add cheese in 3 batches, starting with American. Follow with cheddar and Parmesan. Whisk to fully combine after adding each cheese. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add pasta, stir to coat, and serve.

CLASSIC MACARONI AND CHEESE (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN)

Steps:

• For the bread crumbs:
• Pulse bread and butter in food processor until crumbs are no larger than 1/8 inch, ten to fifteen 1-second pulses and set aside.
• For the pasta and cheese:
• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler.
• Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat.
• Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt; cook until pasta is tender; drain and set aside in colander.
• In now empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming.
• Add flour, mustard, and cayenne and whisk well to combine.
• Continue whisking until mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in milk; bring mixture to boil, whisking constantly (mixture must reach full boil to fully thicken).
• Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes.
• Off heat, whisk in cheeses and 1 teaspoon salt until cheeses are fully melted.
• Add pasta and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to broiler safe 9 by 13" baking dish and sprinkle evenly with bread crumb mixture.
• Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning.
• Cool about 5 minutes, then serve.

STOVE TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• For the bread crumbs: Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat until foam subsides.
• Add bread crumbs; cook, tossing to coat with butter, until crumbs just begin to color, about 10 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt; set aside.
• For the macaroni and cheese: Mix eggs, 1 cup evaporated milk, pepper sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and mustard mixture in small bowl; set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts water to a boil in large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.
• Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and macaroni; cook until almost tender but still a little firm to the bite.
• Drain and return to pan over low heat.
• Add butter; toss to melt.
• Pour egg mixture over buttered noodles along with three-quarters of cheese; stir until thoroughly combined and the cheese starts to melt.
• Gradually add remaining milk and cheese, stirring constantly, until mixture is hot and creamy, about 5 minutes.
• Serve immediately, topped with toasted bread crumbs.
• Variation: "Baked" Macaroni and Cheese.
• This dish is for those who prefer their macaroni and cheese served out of a baking dish.
• Smooth and creamy like the stovetop version, this version is broiled just long enough to brown the crumb topping.
• Follow recipe for Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese, pouring cooked macaroni and cheese into 9-inch-square gratin dish (or another heatproof baking dish of similar dimensions).
• Spread crumbs evenly over top.
• Broil until crumbs turn deep brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Let stand to set a bit, about 5 minutes, and serve immediately.