Have you made a recipe that makes you think of family and holidays? This recipe makes me reminisce for sure.  It is decadent and rich; a small serving goes a long way making it a perfect recipe to share at a large gathering.  I have even made this and split the batch into 2 portions to share with a friend.  It is a great “dressed up” version of macaroni and cheese that everyone can enjoy!

6 tbsp butter, unsalted, plus more for greasing the casserole dish

5-1/2 c milk

1/2 c flour

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp nutmeg, fresh grated or ground

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste

4-1/2 c white sharp cheddar cheese, grated

2 c gruyere cheese, grated OR 1-1/4 c pecorino Romano cheese, grated

2 lbs elbow macaroni

Preheat the oven to 375.  Butter a 3 qrt casserole dish or 2 4”x4” casserole dish; set aside. Heat milk in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.  In a high sided skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.  To the butter, whisk in the flour.  Cook for 1 minute.  While whisking, slowly pour in the hot milk.  Continue cooking until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick, all while still whisking. Remove the thickened sauce from heat and stir in the salt, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, 3 cups of the cheddar cheese and 1-1/2 cups of the gruyere cheese or 1 cup of the pecorino Romano cheese.  Mix together well until blended and cheese is melted.  Set aside.  

While preparing the cheese sauce, boil a large stock pot with water to cook the macaroni.  Cook 2-3 minutes less than the recommended cooking time, so the pasta can continue to cook in the cheese sauce and not become too soggy.  The perfect consistency for this dish is a little underdone in the center of the noodle. Drain and stir the macaroni noodles into the cheese sauce.

Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Mix together the remaining cheeses and sprinkle over the top.  Bake for about 15-20 minutes to melt the cheese and finish cooking the pasta.  Remove from the oven and allow to rest on the counter for about 5 minutes before serving.  

Enjoy!!!!