Million Dollar Mac and Cheese Casserole

 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles

3 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

10 oz cheddar cheese, freshly grated

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 cup butter, brush all around casserole dish

1/3 cup sour cream

3 oz Havarti cheese, freshly grated

3 oz Gruyere cheese, freshly grated

Crust Topping:

1/2 cup Panko

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 Tbsp parsley 

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.  Cook pasta for one minute less than package directions state.  Drain.

3.  While macaroni is cooking , melt 3 Tbsp of butter in a medium sized pot and add the flour.  Cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat for 1 minute.

4.  Continue whisking and slowly pour in the milk and cream.  Cook over medium heat for another 2 minutes until thickened and smooth.

5.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar, salt, and pepper.  Continue stirring until smooth and creamy.

6.  Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

7.  Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

 

To layer the dish:

1.  Pour melted butter into the bottom of a 2 quart baking dish.  Spoon half of macaroni and cheese over the top.

2.  Spread the sour cream over the macaroni and cheese.  Sprinkle with Havarti and Gruyere.

3.  Spoon remaining macaroni and cheese over the top.

To make the topping:

Stir together the Panko, melted butter, garlic salt, and parsley to make the bread crumb topping.  Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.

 

To bake:

Bake for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and top is as browned as you'd like.  Serve immediately.

Recipe:  Buns in my Oven