Macaroni and Cheese- it is a classic iconic family meal that leaves you feeling good. Because this dish is so simple to make I like to splurge on it when I can and use only the best cheeses and lots of it. My homestyle mac and cheese is loaded with flavor thanks to four cheeses along with coarse ground mustard and cracked black pepper. Now I realize there are “certain dishes” that have been designated for white pepper use over black. Mac and cheese has traditionally been one of them but I cant do it. I need my black pepper people! If I am being completely honest there are very few dishes that I choose white pepper over black. I just love the black pepper flavor against the sharp creamy cheddar sauce.
So your probably asking yourself what 4 cheeses make up this dish. My favorite cheese combination is sharp, Monterrey, white cheddar and muenster. Each have their own special flavor and blend so nicely together. The best part of this dish is that you can easily make it a day ahead and cook it the next. Make sure to reserve at least 1/4 cup of the sauce if you do decide to prepare it a day ahead. The sauce can be poured over the mac and cheese midway through cooking to ensure the pasta is tender and creamy.
- 32 ounces of your favorite small pasta (I used shells)
- 5 tbsp. butter, unsalted
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warm to the touch
- 3 tsp coarse ground mustard or spicy Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup white wine or you could use cooking white wine or chicken broth
- ¼ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¾ tsp cracked black pepper
- 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 3 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. muenster cheese, shredded
- In the same pot or a large sauté pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir constantly for about three minutes, until completely smooth and incorporated. Pour in 1 cup of the milk in a thin stream while whisking. It might start out lumpy, but keep whisking and it will smooth out into a thick paste. Add the rest of the milk and whisk until smooth. Add the mustard and white wine, stir until combined and then add in the remaining seasonings and then cheeses ( a little cheese at a time) until all cheese is melted. Adjust taste if necessary with more or less salt.
- Add the drained pasta and gently mix. Enjoy it HOT off the stove or pour into greased 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350 for 20 minutes (if you prefer baked mac n cheese- but don't forget to top it with more cheese if you bake it-)
This is one of our favorites! I like your combination of cheeses. Yes to black pepper. In fact, I don’t even keep white pepper in the spice cabinet any more and the pepper police have not shown up at my door.
Best,
Bonnie
Trying to be good … trying to be good ….
But this looks so creamy, rich and delicious! I could hurt myself on a big bowl of this cheesy goodness! Hope you had a wonderful holiday! P.S. I’m a black pepper girl all the way 🙂
Ditto what Tricia just said 🙂 I love the little extras you’ve put in this,,,Worcestershire, and paprika sound so good!
This dish is so old-fashioned and nostalgic, but also your additions of different spices and cheeses make it sound very new and unique! Thanks for sharing!
I love the pepper jack in this one, and I wholeheartedly agree with you about the black pepper! Mac and cheese is my grandson’s favorite, and he’d love this! 🙂
Oh man. I’m in bed, but I really want mac and cheese now!!
I am drooling! Stove top mac and cheese sounds perfect, especially with wine and Dijon.
I love a good and easy stove top mac and cheese!! Love how cheesy this looks! Yummm!
It looks really creamy and droolworthy!
I have not made a Mac and Cheese in a long time but my sons love this dish a lot! It’s so comfort food.
Happy New Year! I’m happy to spot your mac & cheese. It sounds divine with the mix of cheeses and being easy to make on the stovetop is great. It’s freezing right now and everyone is constantly hungry – I need to make this!
Looks so decadent and comforting!
I want to dive into that pot and eat my way out.
This looks amazing and it is really cold here today in Tennessee so this would be really good to make on a day like this!!
Sometime ate my comment. For some reason I have the hardest time with the code. Love all of your cheese choices and white pepper is perfect for mac and cheese.
Sam
I love mac n cheese and John doesn’t. So I don’t cook it just for me but I should. Yours looks delicious and creamy!
I couldn’t agree more, if you’re going to splurge on a decadent bowl of Mac and cheese, do it right! My favourite is one made with Appenzeller cheese, it’s a Swiss cheese from a little village in the Alps. They serve it with home-made apple sauce (unsweetened compote). Mind you, it’s likely the beautiful memory I have of eating it right there in Appenzell!
This looks so delicious! Four cheeses? Sounds so good! And yes, on the black pepper!
Every time I visit, I always feel like you’re determined to make me hungry lol. I simply LOVE LOVE LOVE mac and cheese. This looks amazing.
big fave at our home. in fact i am making this for lunch today.
My daughter loves homemade mac n cheese! Yours look exceptionally delicious, Jessica!!! I must try your recipe. Worcestershire sauce? Oh yes, I’d love to include that next time. This looks like a great late-night snack (for me) too… hehehee..
The kids have been begging me to make a homemade mac and cheese Jessica and you have saved the day. I really had no idea how to even begin. I grew up on the box variety and I’ll confess, to this day still make it! I’ve been wanting to try my own version though and this has given me all the inspiration I need. And I’m with you – black pepper all the way on mac and cheese! So glad you posted this (my kids will thank you!).
My family all LOVES mac and cheese and yours sounds fantastic!
Mary
Yum! We are just drooling over your Mac and cheese and can’t wait to try some! Now we know what we can make for dinner tonight!
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