Comfort Redefined
Macaroni and cheese doesn't have to be ordinary. With the right cheese selection and proper technique, it becomes a dish worthy of any dinner table.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
- 500g short pasta (macaroni, penne, or cavatappi)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk, warmed
- 200g Gruyère, grated
- 150g Comté, grated
- 50g Fourme d'Ambert or other mild blue
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- Fresh thyme
Method
Cook pasta until just shy of al dente (it continues cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
Make sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour for 2 minutes. Gradually add warm milk, whisking constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Stir in Gruyère, Comté, and blue cheese until melted. Season generously.
Combine pasta and sauce. Transfer to buttered baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs mixed with a bit of melted butter and fresh thyme.
Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Why These Cheeses
Gruyère melts beautifully and provides nutty depth. Comté adds complexity. The blue cheese — used sparingly — contributes a subtle tang that elevates the entire dish without dominating.
