ULTIMATE CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE

Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Robyn Bruce

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb dry macaroni
4 c whole milk
4 Tbsp butter
6 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
12 oz grated or shredded gruyere cheese
4 c grated or shredded new york sharp cheddar cheese or monterey jack cheese

Steps:

1. Bring large pot of unsalted water to a boil and cook macaroni just until tender. Drain, rinse under cold water. Drain again and set aside. (I use unsalted water because cheese is naturally salty. You can always use a little salt once it is on your plate if it's not salty enough for your taste.)
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Bring milk just to a boil in heavy saucepan (remove the second it starts to boil to prevent scalding) and set aside.
4. Meanwhile, melt butter in another saucepan and add flour. Whisk over low heat for 5 minutes. Do not brown.
5. Remove from heat and add hot milk to flour mixture. Whisk well. Add 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Return pan to heat. Cook over medium heat whisking constantly until thickened - about 5 minutes. Do not brown.
6. Remove from heat. Butter a 13 X 9 X 2 baking dish. Fill it evenly with macaroni and sauce.
7. Distribute the grated cheeses evenly over macaroni, sprinkle with black pepper and additional paprika.
8. Place dish on baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, until hot - 20 to 25 minutes. Place under broiler until top is slightly golden and bubbly - 3 or 4 minutes.