Depending on what varieties you can find, brie can offer anything from mild to strong nutty and tangy flavors.Ĭombine brie with ingredients like Parmesan, bacon or garlic for a mac and cheese that elevates the classic comfort food to something sophisticated. Brie becomes liquidy and buttery when it melts, making for a gooey and delicious mac and cheese. You might have enjoyed this creamy cheese on a cheese board before, but it makes the perfect addition to a macaroni recipe. Add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to kick the meal up a notch and keep things sophisticated. The result is a complex taste you probably never thought to pair with mac and cheese.Ĭonsider combining Gruyere with white cheddar for a delicious mac and cheese dish. Gruyere has a flavor that combines nuttiness with earthiness and the slightest hint of sweetness. It’s a hard cheese that melts to a smooth and velvety texture, making it the best melting cheese for fondue - but it’s just as delicious mixed with pasta.
Update your mac and cheese recipes to something more mature with Gruyere. Using pre-grated alternatives may create a less appealing, gritty texture compared to fresh Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.Ĭhoose Parmesan options that you grate yourself for a smoother melt and better texture. For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. Save that cheese for a snack and use the other varieties for your mac and cheese recipes. It melts well and offers a bit more flavor than mild options.Įxtra-sharp cheddar cheese offers a strong flavor, but with a lower moisture content, it doesn’t melt as well. Medium: Medium cheddar is the ideal compromise between sharp and mild varieties.Mild: Mild cheddar has been aged for a short time, giving it subtle flavors and a smooth melting texture.Remember this variety takes a bit more heat to melt. Sharp: Use sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger taste.But you may not have tried this pasta dish with different cheddar varieties like:
This option is a classic cheese for mac and cheese, so you’ve probably had it before. CheddarĬheddar is a staple for countless recipes. Pick cheeses that melt easily, like the following: 1. When it comes to cheese, which one’s the best for your macaroni recipes? It will ultimately depend on your preferences, but you should go for something that offers a creamy, gooey texture. Get ready to create delicious dishes with velvety cheeses that make your mouth water! Best Cheeses to Use in Mac and Cheese With help from this guide, you may discover new favorites and the best cheese for mac and cheese. If you want to try something new, consider the best cheese to use when making mac and cheese. Maybe you’ve tried lots of recipes or have an old standby you bring out whenever you’re craving this comfort dish. And you're about to have the best mac and cheese of your life.Best Cheese to Use When Making Mac and CheeseĪs a mac and cheese lover, you can’t resist gooey, melty cheese and your favorite noodles. Remove the pan from the heat.Īdd the cheese and stir until it is completely melted. Keep whisking at least every few seconds to prevent the milk from sticking to and burning on the pan.Īfter 3 to 5 more minutes of whisking, you'll notice the sauce starting to thicken slightly. Then slowly pour in the milk, whisking as you go. Continue whisking - don't stop! - for 2 to 5 minutes until you no longer see any lumps of flour, and the mixture is golden brown. Once the butter is melted and starting to foam, sprinkle in the flour, whisking as you go. You want the butter to foam but not bubble or burn. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. 2½ cups milk (for a richer sauce, half-and-half or cream).5 tablespoons butter, sliced into 3 to 4 pieces.
To make the best homemade mac and cheese, you first need to learn how to make a roux for mac and cheese, a mixture of flour and butter that's the base for many gourmet sauces.įor each pound of dry pasta you plan to use, measure How to Make Homemade Cheese Sauce for Smoked Mac and Cheese The sauce for homemade macaroni and cheese is based on a classic French sauce, called Mornay sauce.
You'll get the creamiest mac and cheese if you make your own cheese sauce.