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SAVORY

Overnight Mac & Cheese From Ina Garten

This is the easiest, cheesiest, crustiest mac & cheese I’ve ever made! It’s the perfect prep-ahead dish; you don’t even need to make a roux. Prepare the mixture a day ahead, refrigerate it overnight, pour it into an ovenproof dish, and bake it before dinner.

Photo by Quentin Bacon

INGREDIENTS

 
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  •  
  • 12 ounces cavatappi pasta
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  • 4½ cups heavy cream
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  • 3 cups grated Gruyère cheese, divided (8 ounces)
  •  
  • 1½ cups grated sharp white Cheddar, such as Cabot, divided (4 ounces)
  •  
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  •  
  • 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus extra for the dish
  •  
  • 2½ cups fresh white breadcrumbs
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METHOD

For the breadcrumbs: For 2½ cups of breadcrumbs, remove the crusts from 6 slices of white bread and dice. Place in the bowlof a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until finely ground.

For the mac & cheese: A day before you plan to serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons salt and the pasta and cook for 4 minutes (it will be undercooked). Drain (don’t rinse) and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a medium (10-inch) bowl, combine the cream, 1½ cups of the Gruyère, ¾ cup of the cheddar, the nutmeg, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1½ teaspoons pepper. Stir the hot pasta into the cream mixture, cover the bowl with plastic, and refrigerate for 24 hours. The pasta will absorb the cream and expand.

When ready to bake, allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about one hour. (You can also microwave it for 4 minutes.) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Butter a 9x13 2-inch baking dish. Stir the pasta mixture well, transfer it to the dish, and spread it evenly. Combine the remaining 1½ cups Gruyère and ¾ cup Cheddar and sprinkle evenly on top. Combine the breadcrumbs and the 3 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating halfway through, until golden brown. Serve hot.

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