Mac & Cheese (Famous American Macaroni)
Ingredients: 200 g macaroni (elbow, small tubular pasta, slightly bent) 50 g butter 2 tablespoons of flour (starch) 200 ml milk 40 g gruyere cheese 50-60 g parmesan 2 egg yolks 5 tablespoons of breadcrumbs (optional) salt to taste 1-2 tablespoons of oil
To prepare a delicious pasta-based main dish, we start by putting a pot of water and salt to boil. It is essential that the water boils well, so we make sure it is bubbling before adding the macaroni. Personally, I usually add two tablespoons of olive oil or butter to the water before introducing the pasta, as this step helps prevent the macaroni from sticking together. We boil the pasta according to the package instructions, being careful not to leave it too long, so it doesn't become too soft.
In parallel, we take care of the delicious sauce that will accompany the pasta. We start by grating the two types of cheese we want in the sauce. Then, in a pan, we melt the butter over low heat, being careful not to burn it. Once the butter has melted, we add the flour or cornstarch and mix the composition well to avoid lumps. After mixing, we take the pan off the heat and start adding the milk gradually. It is important to stir constantly to achieve a smooth texture. After adding all the milk, we put the pan back on the heat and simmer the sauce until it thickens, ensuring we achieve a consistency similar to pancake batter. If the sauce becomes too thick, we add a little extra milk to thin it out.
Once the pasta is cooked, we drain it and keep it warm. Meanwhile, we return to the sauce, and after it has reached the desired consistency, we add salt to taste and the grated cheeses. We let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until the cheese melts completely, resulting in a creamy and rich composition.
Now, we take the pasta and mix it with the two egg yolks, making sure to integrate them well. Then, we pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and mix again. At this point, we can decide to serve the pasta alongside a fresh green salad. However, for an extra burst of flavor, we can continue to prepare an oven-baked version.
We grease a muffin tin with butter and, using a spoon, fill each compartment with the pasta mixture. On top of this, we sprinkle a little parmesan, followed by a layer of breadcrumbs. Then, we add Gruyère cheese on top for an intense flavor. The tray is placed in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) and baked for 10-12 minutes or until we achieve a golden and appetizing crust.
Once ready, we serve them as is or alongside a crunchy green salad, transforming them into a savory and comforting dish. Each bite will bring a pleasant mix of textures and flavors, making this recipe a perfect choice for a dinner with friends or family.
