Nicole Gentles

Rich Aunties Mac and Cheese

Nicole Gentles
Rich Aunties Mac and Cheese

Truth be told, I stumbled upon this recipe after being home for 11 months and failing miserable at a recipe that I thought I’d perfected and loved since childhood. It’s really a product of necessity. I needed to get rid of some cheese before it spoilt and took a chance. I’m really proud of how it came out. I’ve adopted and adapted different parts of this recipe from books, media and the women in my life who’ve intentionally and inadvertently taught me their ways. How I’ve learned which spices blend with others, and the delicate balance of flavor profiles - I owe it to my ancestors. Thats what rich auntie is to me, a woman tuned into her past with and aura of luxury. She’s fancy and hard to come by, she’s wisdom and strength and comfort. This Mac and Cheese is rich, rare and will surprise you, enjoy her while she lasts!

Check back for a delicious lobster Mac & Cheese… it’s easier than you think!

Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 45 min| Cook Time: 35 min| Refrigerate up to 3 days

Ingredients:

  • gouda

  • white american

  • spicy white cheddar

  • muenster

  • minced garlic

  • 2 oz cream cheese

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tsp flour

  • 1 tsp seasoned salt

  • 2 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp accent/msg

  • black pepper

  • 1 & 1/2 cup milk

  • 8 oz elbow noodles or shells

  • sea salt

Instructions:

  1. cut cream cheese and gouda into 2 inch pieces

  2. put 2 pots on the stove:

    1. a medium sauce pan on HIGH with water - for noodles.

      1. add 4 shakes of sea salt to water pot. Cover and bring water to a boil.

      2. Add noodles to boiling water in HIGH pot. Cover. Cook for 6 minutes. Or less.

      3. Strain noodles, set aside.

    2. a medium sauce pan on MED-LOW with butter - for cheese.

      1. after adding butter to MED-LOW pot, let melt.

      2. add flour and half and half to butter pot. whisk until flour combines.

      3. add cheeses and remainder of milk. place shredded cheese to the side.

      4. stir occasionally as cheese melts. This is a slow process. If too hot, sauce will become grainy. Go low and slow.

      5. when cheese is 80% melted add seasonings and stir slowly in until seasoned evenly

      6. allow remainder 20% of cheese to melt, stirring occasionally.

      7. Taste cheese sauce before combining. Add a small amount of cheddar and/or seasonings to taste.

  3. set oven to 350 degrees

  4. pour cheese sauce over noodles

  5. add mixture to lasagna or casserole baking pan - PYREX pictured

  6. top with a thin layer of shredded cheese mixture

  7. Bake at 350 for 30 min. broil for the last 2 minutes for a crispy top.

  8. serve + enjoy!

  9. Comment blow… let us know your thoughts!