Best Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 500g macaroni
• 200g cheddar
• 200g Gruyère
• 200g red Leicester
• 150g mozzarella
• 50g-70g cheese for topping
• 2 shallots
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp cream cheese
• 60g butter
• 40g flour
• 500ml milk (room temperature)
• 150ml double cream (room temperature)
• Heaped tsp paprika
• Heaped tsp garlic powder
• Sprinkle of cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Chives for topping

Instructions

1. In a pan melt down your butter and sauté shallots and garlic.
2. Add in spices and let them bloom/cook for 2 mins.
3. Add in your flour and whisk until it’s a paste. Turn heat to low.
4. Add in your milk and continue to whisk until there are no lumps.
5. Keep whisking until it thickens slightly, be careful as this can happen very fast, if it’s too thick, add more milk.
6. Whisk in Dijon and your cream.
7. Add in your cream cheese.
8. Season and taste at this point.
9. Add in your cheeses, remembering to leave some aside for the topping (maybe 50-70g).
10. Whisk in the cheese until combined.
11. Add your cooked macaroni and stir until combined.
12. Add half of the mixture into your baking dish and top with a sprinkle of cheese.
13. Add the remaining mixture and top with more cheese.
14. Bake for 15 minutes and then grill until bubbly and golden.
15. Serve with chives on top.