INGREDIENTS
Mac And Cheese
Kosher salt
1 pound pasta shells
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the baking dish
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 cups whole milk
3 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 cups grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
3/4 pound orange American cheese (about 16 slices)
Cheesy Garlic Bread Crumbs
8 slices white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
6 cloves garlic
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
5 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
DIRECTIONS
Mac And Cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta a minute less than called for on the package. Drain, rinse, and toss with the oil to prevent sticking.
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little butter.
3. In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat the 1 stick butter over medium-high heat until melted but not browning. Add the flour and cook, constantly whisking, until it turns a light and toasty brown color, 5 to 6 minutes. Gradually add the milk while whisking, then increase the heat and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking, until it thickens, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the cheeses, a few handfuls/slices at a time, reserving a handful of the cheese, and whisk the sauce until smooth. Whisk in 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 black pepper, and the cayenne.
4. Stir in the cooked pasta, season to taste with more salt and pepper and cook until the pasta is hot again.
5. Pour the mixture into the buttered baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and spread the bread crumbs evenly over the top. Bake until the topping is browned and crisp, about 8 minutes.
Cheesy Garlic Bread Crumbs
1. In a food processor, process the bread until it forms fine crumbs (you should have about 4 cups crumbs). Transfer the crumbs to a bowl. Add the garlic to the processor and process until finely minced (or do it by hand).
2. In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-low heat. When it foams, add the garlic and cook, stirring until the garlic smells great but hasn't browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the bread crumbs, increase heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently until toasty and browned, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in the salt and pepper, remove from the heat, and transfer to a large plate to cool for 5 minutes. Toss in the Parm.
