Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese 1

1 Pound of boxed pasta (elbows preferred)
3 TBS Butter (unsalted preferred)
3 TBS All Purpose Flour
2 Cups Heavy Cream
2 Cups Half & Half
(Combine cream and half & half, warm to lukewarm in microwave or on stove top in separate pot)
32 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese (separated into 1 1⁄2 pounds or 24oz AND 1⁄2 pound or 8oz)
2 tsp Salt (Kosher preferred)
1 1⁄2 tsp Pepper (fresh cracked preferred)
1 1⁄2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1⁄2 tsp Sweet Smoked Paprika
Melt butter in dutch oven over medium heat, until fully melted.
Add flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes with a spatula, making sure to completely incorporate the flour into the butter.
Turn heat all the way down to low and pour in 1 Cup of warmed cream mixture while whisking. The mixture will thicken quickly.
As soon as you see the mixture start to thicken, add 1 more cup of the cream mixture at a time while continuously whisking to incorporate and work out the lumps.
Once the full cream mixture is incorporated, simmer untouched on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. A foam and skin will form on top but will not boil over if kept at a simmer.
After 2-3 minutes of simmering, whisk to incorporate the foam and skin, then repeat one more time for another 2-3 minutes.
Once the second foam and skin have been whisked in lower the heat all the way down. Whisk in to fully incorporate the Worcestershire, Salt, Pepper, and Paprika.
Add the 1 1⁄2 pounds of shredded cheese one healthy handful at a time, whisk until fully incorporated into the sauce, before adding another handful.
Once the 1 1⁄2 of cheese is in the sauce and has a nice thick smooth fall from the whisk, add in 1 pound of cooked and drained elbows.
Fold the elbows into the cheese, top with remaining 1⁄2 pound of shredded cheese and bake at 375* F for 20 minutes for a crispy top, or 10 minutes for a less crispy top.
Let cool and set for 10-15 minutes, then enjoy!
Equipment List
Oven preheated to 375*F Dutch Oven or large pot Large pot for water boiling
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Spatula
Whisk
Colander or strainer

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