Print

Creamy Vermont Mac & Cheese

Creamy Vermont Mac & Cheese
Print Recipe

Creamy Vermont Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food that combines rich, velvety cheese sauce with tender elbow macaroni. Featuring sharp Vermont cheddar and smooth Monterey Jack cheeses, this dish offers a perfectly balanced, creamy texture and deep flavor. Ideal for family dinners or cozy snacks, it’s easy to customize and captures the authentic essence of Vermont cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni

Sauce Base

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk

Cheese

  • 2 cups shredded Vermont cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Seasoning

  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Topping

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook elbow macaroni until just al dente. Drain well and set aside, reserving a little pasta water.
  2. Prepare the Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes until bubbling and golden, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce: Slowly whisk in whole milk to the roux, simmering gently until the sauce thickens. Lower the heat and gradually add shredded Vermont cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until melted and silky smooth.
  4. Season and Combine: Add Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to taste, then fold in the drained macaroni, tossing gently to coat every piece in the creamy sauce.
  5. Optional Baking: Pour the mac and cheese into a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs if using, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly on top.

Notes

  • Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better texture and melting.
  • Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook macaroni just al dente because it will cook a bit more if baked.
  • Whisk Constantly: Prevent lumps by whisking continuously when adding flour and milk.
  • Keep It Warm: Serve immediately or keep warm on low heat to prevent sauce from thickening too much.
  • Customizable Cheese Mix: Experiment with different Vermont cheeses for unique flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, Vermont cheddar, comfort food, homemade mac and cheese, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/creamy-vermont-mac-cheese/