Truffle Macaroni Cheese Creamy (Printable version)

Rich macaroni baked in creamy cheeses and finished with aromatic truffle oil and crunchy topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
06 - 1 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons truffle oil, plus more for drizzling

→ Topping

12 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
13 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
14 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish (approximately 2 quarts) with butter.
02 - Boil elbow macaroni in a large pot according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
04 - Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, stirring continuously until smooth and slightly thickened, 3–4 minutes.
05 - Remove sauce from heat. Stir in Gruyère, cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and 1 1/2 tablespoons truffle oil until cheeses are fully melted and sauce is creamy.
06 - Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until evenly coated.
07 - Spoon the combined macaroni and cheese sauce into the prepared baking dish.
08 - Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Evenly distribute over macaroni.
09 - Place dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling bubbles.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with extra truffle oil and optional fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Uses easy-to-find ingredients that feel special
  • Comes together in 40 minutes from start to finish
  • The blend of Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan makes for deep cheesy flavor
  • Truffle oil brings restaurant-level wow factor that makes it perfect for entertaining
  • The crunchy panko and melted butter topping is addictive
02 -
  • Vegetarian-friendly and high in protein thanks to all that cheese
  • Perfect make-ahead dish for parties or holidays
  • Kids love it but adults rave about the truffle magic
  • Keeps well for several days in the fridge
03 -
  • Always shred cheese yourself it melts smoother and tastes fresher than bagged blends
  • Toast the breadcrumbs just a bit before adding for extra crunch
  • A few drops of truffle oil after baking make all the difference but start light so it does not overpower the dish

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