SKILLET MAC AND CHEESE

Skillet Mac and Cheese image

Serving mac and cheese in the skillet it's baked in amps up the homey comfort factor. The secret ingredient in this bread crumb-topped beauty is the finely chopped cauliflower that blends in subtly with the pasta. Using three different cheeses guarantees maximum flavor and meltability.

Provided by Ellie Krieger

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

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Ingredients

2 cups 1-inch-wide cauliflower florets
1 1/4 cups Light-and-Crisp Whole-Wheat Bread Crumbs (recipe below)
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 cups cold low-fat (1%) milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (5 ounces)
1/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (1 ounce)
2 teaspoons mustard powder
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) whole-grain elbow macaroni, cooked for 3 minutes less than the package directions (about 3 cups cooked)
Nonstick cooking spray
4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread (about 1 ounce each)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Place the cauliflower into a steamer basket fitted over the pot, cover, and steam until just tender, about 5 minutes. Finely chop the steamed cauliflower.
In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and oil.
In a large saucepan, whisk together the milk and flour until the flour is dissolved. Whisking constantly, bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cheddar, Gruyere, mustard powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chopped cauliflower and macaroni and stir until well coated.
Spray an ovenproof 10-inch high-sided skillet with cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the prepared skillet. Sprinkle with the bread crumb mixture, place on a baking sheet, and bake until the top is browned and the cheese is bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes.
Homemade bread crumbs are one of those "chef's secrets" ¿ important but often overlooked detail that can make a dish. These easy-to-make crumbs are flaky, mild, and versatile¿they don't have that heavy whole-wheat taste and dense texture that most store-bought brands have. Since bread crumbs are a comfort-food cornerstone used in everything from cutlet coatings to casserole toppings, it's key to have the best.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the bread in a food processor and process until fine crumbs form, 25 to 30 seconds. Place the crumbs on a baking sheet, spreading them evenly. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Store the bread crumbs in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

*** Explore more Skillet Mac And Cheese Recipes »

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Violet Akisa

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This recipe is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables. I added some chopped broccoli and carrots to my mac and cheese and my kids loved it!

Furat Mahamud

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This mac and cheese is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day.

Arnold Jaquez

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I'm not a big fan of milk in my mac and cheese, so I used evaporated milk instead. It turned out great!

Best Target

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This mac and cheese is a great way to use up leftover macaroni.

Syed Furqan

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I added some diced tomatoes and green peppers to my mac and cheese and it was delicious!

THARU Gamer

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This mac and cheese is the perfect side dish for any meal. It's cheesy, creamy, and delicious.

Bangash Prince

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I love that this recipe uses sharp cheddar cheese. It gives the mac and cheese such a nice flavor.

Jay Jau More

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This was my first time making mac and cheese from scratch and it was a success! The recipe was easy to follow and the mac and cheese turned out perfectly.