Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese

Name: Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp Dan-O’s Original; ½ tsp Dan-o’s Chipotle (optional); 1 lb dried elbow pasta; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 2 1/2 cups half and half; 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese; 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese; 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs; 4 tbsp butter, melted; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

This Thanksgiving Mac & Cheese is the ultimate cheesy comfort food your holiday table has been waiting for! Made with tender pasta, sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce seasoned with Dan-O’s Seasoning, this homemade baked macaroni and cheese is loaded with flavor in every bite. Layers of melted cheese make it extra gooey, while a buttery Parmesan and panko breadcrumb topping adds the perfect golden crunch. Whether you're hosting a big Thanksgiving feast, bringing a dish to Friendsgiving, or looking for an easy holiday side dish everyone will love, this creamy baked mac and cheese is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It's rich, comforting, and so Dan-Good you might need to make a double batch. Yum Yum Get Ya Sum!®

Prep Time

5 Mins

Cook Time

25 Mins

Serving Size

Flavors Used:

Ingredients

1 tbsp Dan-O’s Original
½ tsp Dan-o’s Chipotle (optional)
1 lb dried elbow pasta
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 1/2 cups half and half
4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
4 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Let’s Make It!

Preheat your oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 3-quart (9x13-inch) baking dish and set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil to keep those noodles from sticking together.
While the pasta cooks, shred your cheddar and Gruyère cheeses and toss them together. Divide the cheese into three portions: 3 cups for the sauce, 1½ cups for the middle layer, and 1½ cups for the topping.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until combined. The mixture should look like wet sand. Cook for about 1 minute, whisking frequently, to get rid of that raw flour taste.
Slowly pour in about 2 cups of half-and-half, whisking constantly until smooth. Gradually add the remaining half-and-half and whole milk, continuing to whisk until everything is combined.
Keep cooking over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens to a rich, creamy consistency, similar to slightly thinned condensed soup.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in Dan-O’s Seasoning and 1½ cups of the shredded cheese mixture. Stir until melted, then add another 1½ cups of cheese and keep stirring until the sauce is silky smooth.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with that rich, creamy cheese sauce. Stir until every noodle is coated in all that Dan-Good flavor.
Pour half of the cheesy pasta into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheese evenly over the top, then add the remaining pasta mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded cheese over the top. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated, then sprinkle them and the leftover cheese over the mac and cheese for that irresistible golden, crunchy finish.
Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the topping is lightly golden brown. If it needs a little more time, keep baking until the center is hot and the top is beautifully golden.
Let your Thanksgiving Mac & Cheese rest for a few minutes before serving. Then grab a big spoon and dig into layers of creamy, gooey, cheesy goodness with a buttery, crispy topping. Yum Yum Get Ya Sum!®