Chef Thomas Keller's Mac n' Cheese Recipe on Honest Cooking (2024)

If you really want to impress with your next Mac n’ Cheese, try this amazing recipe from Chef Thomas Keller.
By Kalle Bergman

Chef Keller describes the dish “ – This pasta is cooked in the manner of a risotto, first toasting the pasta and then adding the liquid in batches. It takes about 25 minutes to cook and produces a rich and creamy consistency similar to risotto. I think it is best just after cooking, but if you want to make it ahead of time, it can be poured into a gratin dish and refrigerated. On re-heating, it may lose some of the original creaminess, but it will be made up for with a crusty border of orzo around the gratin dish.

It is best to have all your ingredients prepped before beginning the recipe. The amount of cheese you add is also a matter of taste. Panko crumbs are Japanese breadcrumbs and can be found in the Asian section of the supermarket.

This can be served as a first course, side dish or as a main course with a salad.”

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Chef Thomas Keller’s Mac n’ Cheese

  • Author: Thomas Keller for All Clad
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Yield: 4-8 1x
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Description

If you really want to impress with your next Mac n’ Cheese, try this amazing recipe from Chef Thomas Keller.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (1/4 ounce) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup panko crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 8 ounces orzo (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 1/4 cup minced yellow onion, minced almost to a paste (optional)
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken stock, homemade or shop-bought low-sodium
  • Coarse salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons crème fraiche
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups white cheddar cheese, finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons minced chives
  • 1 teaspoon minced Italian parsley

Instructions

  1. Melt the 1 1/2 teaspoons of butter in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbs and sauté, moving the crumbs constantly until they are a rich golden brown. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
  2. Heat the oil in an All-Clad Copper-Core Windsor Pan over medium-high heat. Add the orzo and stir constantly to toast the orzo for about 2 to 3 minutes or until about half the orzo pieces are lightly browned. Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the onions to incorporate. Steam will rise from the moisture of the onions. Stir until the steam subsides and any liquid from the onions has been absorbed by the orzo.
  3. Add 3/4 cup of the chicken stock and return the pan to the heat. Stir until the stock is almost evaporated and add another 3/4 cup of stock and a pinch of salt. The liquid will become thickened and creamy from the starch in the orzo. When the mixture has thickened and you can see the bottom of the pan as a spoon is drawn through the orzo, add the milk. Cook until the milk reduces but the mixture is still creamy. Taste the orzo, it should be cooked but still have a bit of firmness, as when cooking pasta al dente. Do not let it become mushy. If the orzo needs more cooking, add 1/4 cup of the remaining stock and continue to cook. When the orzo is done to your liking, remove the pot from the heat.
  4. Stir in the butter, if desired, the crème fraiche and 1 1/2 cups of cheese. Stir to incorporate. Taste and add more cheese or salt as desired. Check the consistency. If needed add a bit more of the remaining chicken stock to loosen the mixture. Stir in the herbs.
  5. Spoon the orzo on individual serving plates and sprinkle with the panko crumbs.
  6. If you are making the orzo ahead of time, pour it into a gratin dish and smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate. When you are ready to cook the gratin, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before reheating.
  7. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Sprinkle the panko crumbs over the top of the gratin and place in the oven to heat for about 15 minutes, then increase the heat to 400°F. for an additional 10 minutes or until the top is crispy and the orzo is hot.
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Side
  • Cuisine: American

Chef Thomas Keller's Mac n' Cheese Recipe on Honest Cooking (2)

Kalle Bergman

Kalle Bergman is a food writer and media entrepreneur who is the founder of Honest Cooking and PAIR Magazine. As a food writer, his writing has been regularly featured in publications like Gourmet, Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post and Serious Eats. He is obsessed with simple food, more often than not from his native Scandinavia.

Chef Thomas Keller's Mac n' Cheese Recipe on Honest Cooking (2024)

FAQs

Chef Thomas Keller's Mac n' Cheese Recipe on Honest Cooking? ›

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

What to add to a box of mac and cheese to make it better? ›

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

Can I use yogurt instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Finally, using a plain yogurt is one of the best options for replacing milk in kraft mac and cheese! A plain whole milk yogurt or a greek yogurt would work well. Mix it in the same way you'd mix in sour cream, until it is well incorporated. This may have a slightly tangier flavor, but that is a personal preference.

Who perfected mac and cheese? ›

James Hemings should be remembered and honored not only for his mac and cheese revelation, but also for introducing French cuisine and techniques into the U.S. cooking lexicon. We salute you, Mr. Hemings!

What protein can I add to mac and cheese? ›

Some of my favorite proteins to add to mac and cheese include sliced or shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works a treat!), shrimp, or even some crumbled tofu. Add veggies!

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Boil it better

Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook, if needed. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.

Which cheese is best for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Is milk or evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk? ›

In fact, you can substitute sour cream for milk almost anytime the recipe calls for less than a cup of milk. One of the most common ingredients to use milk with is potatoes. Spuds love dairy, so if a recipe calls for milk, sour cream almost always works in its place.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

Which president loved mac and cheese? ›

Bottom line, Jefferson loved his macaroni and when he became president, he pushed a pro-macaroni agenda on official Washington. This did not always go over well. One guest wrote of a presidential dinner: “Dinner not as elegant as when we dined before.

What is a fancy name for mac and cheese? ›

macaroni au gratin -- a fancy way of saying mac and cheese!

What do Canadians call mac and cheese? ›

In Canadian culture

The meal is the most popular grocery item in the country, where "Kraft Dinner" has an iconic status and has become a generic trademark of sorts for macaroni and cheese. It is often simply referred to by the initials K.D.

What meat goes best in mac and cheese? ›

Popular choices are bacon, ground beef, shredded chicken, cooked sausage or pulled pork, which add a savory depth to the dish. Is mac and cheese for dinner? Absolutely! Mac and cheese can be a satisfying main dish, especially when paired with sides like a protein or a salad.

What can I add to homemade mac and cheese to give it more flavor? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How do you perk up mac and cheese? ›

Spices: A little garlic powder and onion powder goes a long way in making this the best easy mac and cheese ever! Definitely don't skimp on these. You could also add a bit of paprika, black pepper, or even a splash of hot sauce if you want to amp up the flavor even more.

How do you ramp up boxed mac and cheese? ›

Take boxed mac and cheese to the next level by experimenting with different combination of add-ins. Adding cold butter to the sauce and baking the mac in the oven helps with both texture and flavor. Incorporating things like real cheese, bacon, or leftover veggies can turn boxed mac and cheese into a full meal.

What do should I add to homemade mac and cheese for taste? ›

Additional Add-in & Toppings:
  1. Extra cheese topping – Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese on top before baking.
  2. Breadcrumbs– combine about 1 cup of breadcrumbs and 3 tablespoons of melted butter in a bowl. Sprinkle over top of the macaroni and cheese just before baking.
  3. Bacon Bits – Cook about 4-5 slices of bacon.
Jul 20, 2022

How do you revive box mac and cheese? ›

Reheat in the Microwave
  1. Store leftovers right. ...
  2. Add one tablespoon of milk per cup of macaroni and cheese.
  3. Reheat at 50 percent power, stirring every minute or so.
  4. When the mac and cheese has reached its desired temperature, add a touch of butter to bring it back to life.
Oct 26, 2022

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