Best Lauras Crumb Topped Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

CRUMB-TOPPED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pot. , Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter and pepper flakes over medium heat until butter is melted. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. , Stir in Gruyere, mascarpone, mustard, salt and pepper until blended. Add sauce to macaroni, tossing to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Melt remaining butter. Add panko and Italian seasoning; toss to coat. Sprinkle over macaroni. Bake, uncovered, until topping is golden brown, 10-15 minutes.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH A CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°.
• Lightly butter a 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
• Bring a large pot three-fourths full of salted water to a boil.
• Add the macaroni, stir well, and cook for about 6 minutes.
• The macaroni will still be quite al dente; it will cook further in the oven.
• Do not overcook; drain thoroughly.
• While the pasta is draining, return the pot to the stove, add 4 tablespoons of the butter, and melt over medium heat.
• Whisk in the flour and reduce the heat to low.
• Let the flour mixture bubble, whisking occasionally, without browning, for 2 minutes.
• Gradually whisk in the hot milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat, add the cheeses, and stir until the cheeses are melted.
• Return the macaroni to the pot and stir well.
• Season to taste with salt and hot pepper sauce.
• In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
• Spread the macaroni evenly in the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the top with the bread crumbs.
• Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the crumbs.
• Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the top is browned, about 40 minutes.
• Serve hot, directly from the baking dish.

LAURA'S CRUMB-TOPPED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 minutes; pasta will be slightly undercooked. Drain, rinsed with cold water, and drain again.
• Pulse bread in food processr until coarse crumbs form (about 2 3/4 cups).
• Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp, 9-10 minutes. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.
• Reserve 1 1/2 tablespoons pancetta drippings in pan. Melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat with drippings. Add breadcrumbs, and cook, stirring to coat, until they are light gold and beginning to crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming (Do not let milk come to a boil) Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour to butter, whisking until smooth. Add milk slowly, whisking constantly until combined. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheeses, and stir until melted. Stir in reserved pancetta, nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoons salt. Season with pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Place pasta in a 9-inch round baking dish that's 3-inches deep. Stir in cheese sauce, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Spread bread crumbs on top. Pace dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until crumbs are deep golden brown and sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Serve hot.

SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Set a large pot of salted water to boil. Preheat oven to 350. Butter four 10-ounce ramekins. Cook pasta 3 minutes short of al dente; drain.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups cheddar, eggs, half-and-half, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add pasta, and stir to combine; divide among ramekins.
• In a food processor, pulse bread and melted butter until coarse crumbs form; season with salt and pepper. Dividing evenly, top pasta mixture with 1/2 cup cheddar, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until mac and cheese is golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.