Name: Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Elbow macaroni - 1 (16 ounce) package; Butter - ¼ cup; All-purpose flour - ¼ cup; Dried thyme - ¼ teaspoon; Cayenne pepper - ¼ teaspoon; White pepper - ⅛ teaspoon; Milk - 3 cups; Salt - 1 teaspoon; Worcestershire sauce - ¼ teaspoon; Ground nutmeg - 1 pinch; Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided - 3 cups; Dijon mustard - 1 teaspoon; Panko bread crumbs - ½ cup; Butter, melted - 1 tablespoon

Ingredients for - Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese

1. Elbow macaroni 1 (16 ounce) package

2. Butter ¼ cup

3. All-purpose flour ¼ cup

4. Dried thyme ¼ teaspoon

5. Cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon

6. White pepper ⅛ teaspoon

7. Milk 3 cups

8. Salt 1 teaspoon

9. Worcestershire sauce ¼ teaspoon

10. Ground nutmeg 1 pinch

11. Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided 3 cups

12. Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon

13. Panko bread crumbs ½ cup

14. Butter, melted 1 tablespoon

How to cook deliciously - Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2 . Stage

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3 . Stage

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in flour; cook on medium heat until flour begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

4 . Stage

Add thyme, cayenne, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring sauce just to a simmer.

5 . Stage

Stir in salt, Worcestershire sauce, and nutmeg. Simmer, whisking often, on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes.

6 . Stage

Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Mix in Dijon mustard. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

7 . Stage

Transfer macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine pasta with sauce.

8 . Stage

Mix together panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl.

9 . Stage

Sprinkle mixture over macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese on top. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

10 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios