Cheese Sauce for American-style Mac and Cheese
A beautiful lesson in transforming a delicate French béchamel into an unapologetic American powerhouse. By removing the heat entirely before forcefully whisking in vast quantities of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, you bypass the risk of the cheese separating or becoming greasy, guaranteeing a violently rich, velvety smooth sauce every single time.
Makes: about 2 ½ cups | Total Time: 30 minutes till it’s ready
Ingredients
- 2 cups White Sauce for Mac and Cheese
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated, about 1 cup
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated, about 1 cup
Instructions
Use any cheese you want. You can add more or
less based on your personal cheese quotient.
Another Thing to Note:
Notice I used grated cheese in the directions for this sauce. Grated cheese will melt faster and easier in the hot sauce than cubes or chunks, although those will still work, you will just need to stir them for a bit longer than directed above. Now to serve mac and cheese in a bowl, you simply cook your favorite noodle shape then drain and toss the noodles in the cheese sauce. Divide into bowls, and just like that, you’ve got mac and cheese. Not too shabby!
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Join the Estate RegistryThe Heart of the Table
This is the nostalgic, deeply comforting sauce that powers countless family dinners. While you can pour this directly over cooked pasta for an immediate, stovetop macaroni and cheese, its true power lies in its versatility. It is an exceptional foundation for baked casseroles, a dramatic topping for steamed broccoli or baked potatoes, or simply a magnificent dip for warm pretzels.
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: If utilizing this as a dip for a casual gathering, serve it in a pre-warmed, heavy ceramic bowl to keep the sauce in a molten, luxurious state for as long as possible. Garnish with a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika for visual contrast against the bright orange cheddar.
- THE POUR: A violently cold, highly carbonated craft IPA or Amber Ale. The bitterness of the hops and the sharp carbonation are absolutely necessary to scrub the palate clean of the heavy butterfat and dairy.
- THE VIBE: Boisterous, nostalgic, and entirely unpretentious. This is fundamentally comfort food, designed for relaxed weekends and casual entertaining.