Truffle Mac and Cheese

Time :1 hour
Yield :12 servings

Recipe Background

It should be impossible to elevate a four-cheese mac and cheese: crunchy breadcrumbs over tender-cooked noodles in a creamy cheese already sounds like the perfect remedy for a cold day. Truffle Mac and Cheese manages the impossible and thus tastes impossibly good! The combination of Gouda, cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan cheese lend every bite a delectable note of smokiness, sharpness, richness, and nuttiness. Combined with the garlicky, aromatic flavor of truffles, these cheeses taste even more rich and satisfying. Truffle Mac and Cheese combines high-class flavor with home-cooked simplicity to create a side dish you'll want front and center on your table.
It should be impossible to elevate a four-cheese mac and cheese: crunchy breadcrumbs over tender-cooked noodles in a creamy cheese already sounds like the perfect remedy for a cold day. Truffle Mac and Cheese manages the impossible and thus tastes impossibly good! The combination of Gouda, cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan cheese lend every bite a delectable note of smokiness, sharpness, richness, and nuttiness. Combined with the garlicky, aromatic flavor of truffles, these cheeses taste even more rich and satisfying. Truffle Mac and Cheese combines high-class flavor with home-cooked simplicity to create a side dish you'll want front and center on your table.

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) package cavatappi pasta
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 5 1/2 cups milk divided
  • 2 1/2 cups smoked Gouda cheese shredded
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese grated and divided
  • 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon truffle oil

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the cavatappi until just al dente in the boiling water, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat on the stovetop.
  • Whisk the flour into the butter until it forms a thick, paste-like consistency and the raw flour smell disappears, for about 30 seconds-1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in 2 cups of the milk until a smooth mixture with no lumps forms.
  • Stir in the remaining milk.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and cook while whisking constantly until the mixture has thickened and is almost boiling, for about 5-10 minutes.
  • Stir the Gouda, cheddar, and Swiss cheeses, as well as 1 cup of the parmesan cheese, into the milk, mixing until a smooth, cohesive cheese sauce is formed.
  • Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
  • Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
  • In a small bowl stir the remaining parmesan cheese and the bread crumbs together.
  • Top the mac and cheese with the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Drizzle the truffle oil on top of the mac and cheese.
  • Bake the mac and cheese until golden and bubbling, about 30 minutes.
  • Cool for 10 minutes and then serve.
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