Family-Sized Macaroni and Cheese | Recipes | PBS Food

Family-Sized Macaroni and Cheese

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Prep time: 45 Minutes

Total time: 1 Hour, 15 Minutes

Yield: Serves 6

    Ingredients

  • 1 lb. short pasta such as cavatappi or macaroni
  • Coarse salt
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (12 ounces)
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
  • 3 cups very coarse fresh breadcrumbs

    Directions

  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water 1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain, rinse with cool water, and return to pot.
  2. Meanwhile, heat 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour; cook, whisking, 1 minute. Add milk, cayenne, nutmeg, and 2 teaspoons salt; bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in cheeses until smooth. Pour over pasta; toss to coat. Divide among baking dishes (see below).
  3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter; toss with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over pasta. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; freeze up to 3 months.
  4. Preheat oven to 375° . Place frozen dishes on a baking sheet; remove plastic. Cover with foil. Bake until bubbling, 60 to 70 minutes for large dishes, 40 to 50 minutes for small. Remove foil; continue baking until golden, 5 to 10 minutes more.
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