5.06.2009

Mac and Cheese with Fresh Thyme


This was my first ever attempt at homemade Mac and Cheese. I had a lot of left over fresh thyme from another recipe so I thought I should throw some of that in.


I found an Alton Brown recipe but I didn't like some of the ingredients he used so I changed it a bit. This is what I used for my Mac and Cheese:
  • 1/2 lb macaroni pasta
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 tbsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/4 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded (sharp would be even better)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan
  • 1 1/2 tsp fresh chopped thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • Cracked pepper
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tbsp butter
In a large pot, boil your macaroni until al dente. In a separate large pan melt 3 tbsp of butter. Whisk in your flour, dry mustard and onion powder. Keep whisking for about 5 minutes to avoid clumping. Add your milk and paprika and simmer for 10 minutes stirring very often. Temper your egg. (I have never in my life tempered an egg so I had to look up how to do it! You crack an egg into a bowl and whisk thoroughly. Slowly add the milk mixture a tsp at a time to bring the temperature up before pouring the egg into the pan. You will just need to add a few tsp of the milk mixture. This will help avoid scrambling of the egg.) Turn off the heat stir in the egg and 3/4 of the cheese, thyme, salt and pepper. Fold in your macaroni. Pour into a 13x9 baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and the Parmesan cheese.

For the topping, melt 3 tbsp butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and toss you Panko breadcrumbs to coat. Sprinkle over top of pasta. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

~Good Stuff!~

Click HERE for a printable version of this recipe.

16 comments:

Donna-FFW said...

Mac and Cheese is one of my most favorite comfort foods. This version sounds excellent.

Mary-Laure said...

Ah, comfort food!

Ginger said...

This is the honest truth; I was looking for a "different" Mac and cheese recipe to take to a deck party this weekend. They wanted me to bring kid friendly and Adult different. Though I am pretty sure that kids would love this recipe also!! I love the panko on top. Have a great day....

A Joyful Chaos said...

This looks so good! I'm wanting some right now.

Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Another great recipe I will have to try!

teresa said...

This looks incredible, I bet it tasted SO good! I love homemade mac and cheese!

Heidi said...

I've never made homemade like this. It's just so easy to make the box stuff or cook noodles and melt some velveeta!

Mary Bergfeld said...

You've made me hungry. I haven't made mac n' cheese in an age. Hmmm!

Pam said...

I love homemade mac & cheese - the golden crust on top looks perfect.

Randi Troxell said...

im with pam... that golden crust... it looks wonderful!

chow and chatter said...

great flavours with thyme and mustard must try

The Blonde Duck said...

Homemade mac and cheese? Sounds like a perfect meal to me!

Leslie said...

My son LOVES mac and cheese. And that's just the boxed stuff! I'm going to have to make this for him.

btw... I always LOVE your pictures!

Heather S-G said...

mmmmm, thyme is my absolute, all-thyme (ha ha) favorite herb. This sounds amazing :P

Debbie said...

That looks so incredible. I have to keep it simple here though - to please the kiddos:)

comfycook said...

Mac and cheese is a winner. I like the recipe you chose. The thyme is a good choice to beef it up.

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