She Strengthens

Award-Winning Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe

A Recipe Fit for a Champion

This decadent macaroni and cheese dish has taken home the top prize at SF Food Wars’ 2009 Mac Battle Royale with Cheese. And it’s easy to see why – with its creamy sauce, crunchy topping, and blend of rich cheeses, it’s a true showstopper.

The Ingredients

To create this masterpiece, you’ll need:

• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 5 1/2 to 6 cups of whole milk
• 1 box of panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 2 teaspoons of sea salt
• Ground nutmeg, black pepper, and powdered cayenne to taste
• 4 1/2 cups of various grated cheddars (including Kraft sharp cheddar and Kerrygold Dubliner cheese)
• 1 pound of elbow macaroni

Preparing the Dish

Step 1: Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F and butter a casserole dish. Set it aside for now.

Step 2: Create the Crunchy Topping

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and mix in the panko breadcrumbs. Add a dash of sea salt and black pepper for extra flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Macaroni

Heavily salt a large pot of water and bring it to a boil. Undercook the macaroni – it should take about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse the macaroni under cold water, making sure to shake off excess water.

Step 4: Make the Cheese Sauce

Heat the milk in a saucepan until it’s warm, but not bubbling. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter until it bubbles, then add the flour and stir for a minute or two. Slowly pour in the hot milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens – about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Combine the Mac and Cheese

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese, and all of the Kerrygold cheese. The sauce should be smooth, not lumpy. Stir the macaroni into the cheese sauce – it will be goopy and make funny noises when stirred!

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the buttered dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. Bake for 30 minutes, then place under the broiler for a minute to get a nicely browned panko crust.

The Result

A creamy, cheesy, crunchy masterpiece that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates. Congratulations, you’ve just created an award-winning mac ‘n cheese dish!