Barefoot Contessa’s Cozy Mac and Cheese Recipe: Ultimate Comfort

Creamy mac and cheese stands as a beloved culinary classic that warms hearts and satisfies hunger.

Sophisticated yet simple, this comfort food recipe transforms humble ingredients into a rich, indulgent experience.

Families and friends gather around steaming dishes, eager to savor each decadent bite.

The blend of tender pasta and melted cheese creates a harmonious symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust and velvety textures intertwine, offering a nostalgic connection to cherished mealtime memories.

A sprinkle of creativity elevates this traditional dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

The magic lies in selecting quality ingredients and mastering the delicate balance of cheese and pasta: prepare to transform your dinner into a culinary masterpiece.

Why Mac and Cheese Will Always Be a Mood

• Creamy Cheese Heaven: Indulge in a luxurious blend of Gruyère and Cheddar that creates an incredibly smooth, rich sauce coating every single pasta shell.
• Gourmet Comfort Food Twist: Elevate classic mac and cheese with sophisticated ingredients like fresh breadcrumbs and sliced tomatoes, transforming a simple dish into an elegant meal.
• Quick and Easy Cooking Method: Prepare this restaurant-quality mac and cheese in under an hour with straightforward steps that even novice cooks can master confidently.
• Perfectly Textured Delight: Experience a delightful contrast between crispy golden breadcrumb topping and the velvety, melted cheese sauce underneath, making each bite exciting and satisfying.

Gather the Goodies for That Ultimate Cheese Pull

• Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for mac and cheese, holds sauce wonderfully well.

• Gruyère Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Rich, creamy cheeses providing deep flavor and smooth texture, choose high-quality aged varieties for best results.

• Milk: Full-fat milk creates a rich and creamy sauce base.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth sauce texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the cheese sauce and create smooth consistency.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and complexity to cheese sauce.

• Fresh Bread Crumbs: Creates crispy golden crust on mac and cheese.
• Tomatoes: Adds fresh color and light acidity to the dish.

• Vegetable Oil: Prevents pasta from sticking during cooking.
• Water: Essential for boiling pasta.

Stir Up a Pot of Creamy, Cheesy Perfection

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready for delicious mac and cheese.

Step 2: Boil The Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Splash in some vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Cook macaroni until perfectly tender, typically 6-8 minutes. Drain completely.

Step 3: Create Creamy Milk Base

In a small saucepan, gently warm milk over medium heat. Watch carefully to ensure it’s hot but not boiling.

Step 4: Craft The Cheese Roux

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes to create a smooth base. Slowly pour in warm milk while stirring, allowing the mixture to thicken and become silky.

Step 5: Season And Blend Cheeses

• Gruyère cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Nutmeg

Blend until sauce becomes wonderfully smooth and velvety.

Step 6: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Pour drained macaroni into cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure every noodle is coated with cheesy goodness.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Dish

Transfer mac and cheese into a 3-quart baking dish. Layer sliced tomatoes evenly across the top.

Step 8: Create Crunchy Topping

Melt remaining butter and mix with fresh bread crumbs. Sprinkle this golden mixture over tomatoes.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Slide dish into preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until top turns gorgeous golden brown and sauce bubbles with excitement.

Tips for Mac That’s Smooth and Never Dry

• Cook Pasta Perfectly: Time your macaroni cooking carefully to achieve the ideal al dente texture. Stick to package instructions and drain immediately to prevent mushy noodles.
• Grate Cheese Like a Pro: Skip pre-shredded cheese and grab a grater. Fresh cheese melts smoother and creates a more luxurious, creamy sauce that coats every pasta bite.
• Heat Milk for Silky Sauce: Warm milk before adding to your roux for a velvety smooth cheese sauce. Hot milk helps prevent lumps and ensures a consistent, creamy texture throughout.
• Create Crispy Bread Crumb Topping: Homemade breadcrumbs transform the mac and cheese's surface into a golden, crunchy delight. Tear fresh bread into small pieces for the best crumbly texture.
• Watch the Baking Process: Keep an eye on your mac and cheese while it bakes. The golden-brown top signals a perfectly cooked dish with deliciously caramelized edges and bubbling cheese.

Store Your Mac Without Losing That Stretch

• Freeze Strategically: Divide mac and cheese into individual portion sizes before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal texture. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigerator Revival: Keep mac and cheese fresh by storing in a shallow, wide container to help it cool quickly and prevent bacterial growth. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to minimize moisture and prevent skin formation. Consume within 3 days for best quality and taste.
• Creamy Reheating Technique: Restore moisture by adding a splash of milk or cream when warming in the oven. Stir gently halfway through reheating to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out. Use a low temperature around 325°F to maintain the cheese's smooth, velvety consistency without breaking or becoming grainy.

Mac Twists That Bring the Wow Factor

• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced jalapeños and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce for a fiery flavor boost. Sprinkle extra sharp cheddar on top for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Mix in chopped fresh basil, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes. Replace some cheddar with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Smoky Bacon Lover's Edition: Crisp up bacon pieces and fold them into the mac and cheese. Swap part of the butter with rendered bacon fat for an intense smoky flavor. Top with crispy bacon bits before baking.
• Vegetable Power Blend: Roast butternut squash and spinach, then fold into the mac and cheese mixture. Add nutritional yeast for extra depth and a subtle cheesy undertone.

Comfort Comes to a Close with One Last Cheesy Bite

Barefoot Contessa’s mac and cheese epitomizes comfort cuisine with gourmet sophistication.

Rich Gruyère and sharp Cheddar cheese create luxurious complexity in each delectable bite.

Silky sauce embraces tender pasta while crisp breadcrumb topping provides delightful textural contrast.

Seasonal tomatoes add bright freshness that elevates this classic dish beyond traditional expectations.

Go ahead, inspire kitchen magic, spread culinary joy, savor every moment, and let this recipe spark connection through memorable dining experiences.

Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa Mac and Cheese delivers creamy comfort with rich, sharp cheddar and gruyère blended into perfectly cooked pasta. Ina Garten’s signature recipe promises a luxurious, crowd-pleasing dish you’ll savor down to the last golden, crispy breadcrumb topping.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 pound (454 grams) elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon (18 grams) kosher salt, for boiling water

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 quart (4 cups / 946 milliliters) milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, divided
• 12 ounces (340 grams) Gruyère cheese, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces (227 grams) extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups)

Seasonings and Toppings:

• ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ pound (340 grams) (about 4 small) fresh tomatoes, sliced
• 1–½ cups (120 grams) fresh white bread crumbs (about 5 slices, crusts removed)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), ensuring an ideal baking environment.
2. Fill a large pot with salted water and introduce a splash of vegetable oil. Cook the macaroni until it reaches perfect al dente tenderness, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Thoroughly drain the pasta, shaking off excess water.
3. Gently heat 1 quart (946 milliliters) of milk in a small saucepan, bringing it to a warm temperature without allowing it to boil.
4. Create a velvety base by melting of butter in a large pot over low heat. Sprinkle of all-purpose flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously for 2 minutes to develop a rich roux.
5. Slowly stream the warm milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture transforms into a smooth, thick sauce.
6. Remove the pot from heat and fold in the Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses. Season with of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a delicate touch of nutmeg. Stir until the cheeses melt completely, creating a luxurious sauce.
7. Introduce the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, gently stirring to ensure every pasta piece is generously coated.
8. Transfer the creamy mixture into a 3-quart (2.8-liter) baking dish. Artfully arrange sliced tomatoes across the surface for a vibrant, fresh touch.
9. Melt the remaining of butter and combine with fresh bread crumbs. Sprinkle this golden mixture evenly over the tomatoes.
10. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The goal is a bubbling sauce and a beautifully golden, crisp topping that promises delectable texture and flavor.

Notes

• Sprinkle crunchy homemade breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese to create a golden, crispy topping that adds delightful texture and extra flavor to every single bite.
• Heat milk gently before mixing into the roux to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheese sauce that coats the pasta perfectly and creates a velvety consistent texture.
• Grate cheese directly from a block for maximum melting potential, guaranteeing a creamier and more luxurious sauce that blends seamlessly throughout the dish.
• Cook macaroni just until al dente, watching carefully to prevent soggy noodles that could turn your creamy mac and cheese into a disappointing mushy mess.
• Bake the casserole until the edges bubble and the top transforms into a stunning golden-brown crust that signals maximum deliciousness is about to be served.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 1,441mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 49g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 21g
• Cholesterol: 40mg