Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese
If you're looking for the creamiest, cheesiest side dish to pair with an entree, one-pot Dutch oven mac and cheese is the way to go.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box noodles, cooked to al dente
- 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons white pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 pound shredded colby jack cheese divided
Instructions
- Follow the package directions and cook the noodles in a Dutch oven to al dente (a few minutes less than the recommended cooking time on the box), drain, and set the pasta aside.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350℉ (176℃), shred the cheese, and set it aside.
- Melt butter in the large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the kosher salt, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Add the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens. Then, whisk in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard.
- Stir half of the reserved shredded cheese into the pot and cook over medium heat until the cheese melts. Then, fold in the cooked noodles.
- Top the mac and cheese with the remaining shredded cheese and bake it in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and golden brown spots appear.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Bring salted pasta water to a boil and prepare the noodles according to the package. However, I recommend reducing the cooking time by a few minutes because the pasta will continue to cook in the creamy sauce.
- Shred the cheese instead of buying pre-shredded cheese containing anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly into the bechamel sauce. It doesn't seem like it makes a difference, but it does! Speed up the prep time (and save your arm) by shredding the cheese in a food processor if you have one on hand.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 693 kcal | Carbohydrates: 26 g | Protein: 28 g | Fat: 54 g | Saturated Fat: 33 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14 g | Trans Fat: 0.2 g | Cholesterol: 160 mg | Sodium: 1122 mg | Potassium: 283 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 1924 IU | Vitamin C: 0.5 mg | Calcium: 734 mg | Iron: 1 mg
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