Skillet Mac and Cheese
Homemade macaroni and cheese. Need I say more?
What is it about macaroni and cheese that makes it so appealing? I LOVED macaroni and cheese growing up, and truthfully, I still love it now. Even the boxed stuff in all its fake cheese, zero nutrition glory. Maybe it’s the nostalgia that it creates. Or maybe it’s just simply the perfect combination of ingredients. Whatever it is, it has always been a favorite of mine.
My husband’s birthday is in early December, and one of the gifts he received was a Martha Stewart cast iron skillet. He loves to cook and is obsessed with all things kitchen related. Due to his work schedule though, most of the cooking falls on me. But, his obsession with kitchen gadgets insures that I have a well stocked kitchen!
When he took the new skillet out of the box, he discovered that it came with a recipe for skillet mac and cheese. That alone was worth the purchase. He immediately said, “We need to try this!”
Obviously, I agreed.
Unfortunately for him, I made it earlier this week while he was out of town. Oops! Sorry honey. 🙂
He had to be gone for work for a few days, so it was just me and my toddler at home. I really don’t like making anything too involved when it’s just the two of us. Honestly, I don’t have quite the love of cooking that my husband does. Plus, my daughter is pretty picky and often won’t eat what we cook anyway. I figured the macaroni and cheese would be a hit though, and I was pretty sure we would have enough for a couple of days. Two dinners for the price of one? Sold!
I couldn’t believe how easy this was to make, and it is SO. GOOD. (Fair warning – I cut the recipe in half, and it was still a ton of food. Half of the recipe could have easily fed all three of us for two days.)
Here it is:
- 6 oz orange cheddar cheese, grated
- 5 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
- 5 oz extra sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 c whole milk, warmed
- 1 lb shells, cooked al dente
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 c dry breadcrumbs
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine cheeses and gently toss to evenly combine.
- In an enameled cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add warmed milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add all but a 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture and whisk until sauce is melted and smooth. Add pasta, salt, pepper, and thyme and gently stir to combine. Sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- I couldn't find Gruyere at my grocery store, so I substituted with Gouda.
- I used dried thyme instead of fresh.
- I crushed up some croutons I had on hand to create the breadcrumbs.
Happy holidays!
Oh my gosh this looks amazing! I need this and I am pretty sure my kids will be praising my name if I make it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
It was pretty amazing, and it really was easy to make. I will definitely be making it again (and maybe next time, we’ll share with my husband…). 🙂 Thanks for looking!
This sounds so yummy! Mac and Cheese is definitely a favorite at our house, and I have a soft spot for the boxed variety. It’s terrible, but true. For the last couple of years we’ve been experimenting with adding pureed sweet potato to the recipe just to make me feel better about serving it. That said, this recipe with Gruyere is making my mouth water. Thanks so much for sharing!
I, admittedly, love the boxed stuff as well. That’s partly why I was so glad that this was so simple to make. I never thought about adding pureed sweet potatoes. That’s a great idea! I may have to try it sometime. I hope you enjoy it!
Amy, Santa brought us a cast iron skillet too! We’ve used it for flank steak and for fried potatoes, but I think this is going to be my next project. We all love mac and cheese and I have some gluten free Noodles & gluten free bread crumbs on hand! I think I’m going to hit Aldi’s tomorrow because they have the best cheese selection at a great price, and then this baby is going to be mine all mine! LOL I will share with my family though! Thanks for sharing the recipe can’t wait to try it.
Yay for cast iron skillets! They’re really so fantastic. I have got to try Aldi’s. So many of my friends swear by it, and it has been on my list to try for a long time now. Maybe I’ll check it out this coming weekend when I do my grocery shopping. I hope you, and your family, enjoy it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I will pass this on to my son…his favorite food. Unfortunately over time I have developed an allergy to cheese, so while my mouth still waters at your awesome photos, I can’t partake beyond looking. Thank you for joining the party!
Thanks so much for looking and passing it on! I’ve never worked with dairy free cheese before, but I actually may start messing with it soon. One of my sisters-in-law has just recently come up with a dairy allergy. So, I may start trying it to see how it works. Thanks again!
I love homemade mac and cheese so much! In fact I’m making some today. If I had any gruyere in the fridge I would definitely give this a go. Sadly, all I have is cheddar and mozzarella. Though, I might throw some Thyme in there inspired by this recipe. It sounds like a tasty and brilliant idea. 🙂
Thanks! Enjoy your mac and cheese. You really can’t hardly go wrong with it, no matter what type of cheese you have. I would consider making some myself today, but I don’t have everything I need. It’s currently 20 degrees and snowing outside, so I’ll probably just stick to leftovers tonight. 🙂 Thanks for looking!
This looks super yummy!!! Thanks for sharing! There’s nothing like macaroni and cheese!
Thanks for looking! And you’re so right – there really isn’t anything quite like it. 🙂
This looks amazing!!! May have to try a vegan version for my daughters! 🙂
Yes! Let me know how it goes, if you do. I have a sis-in-law who recently discovered a dairy allergy. I’d love to be able to pass a vegan recipe on to her. 🙂 Thanks for looking!
Thanks for sharing this quick and easy recipe with us at Over the Moon Link Up. I’m sure it is popular in most households.
Thanks for looking! Who doesn’t love mac and cheese?! It’s certainly popular in my house. 🙂
Pullin’ out my skillet! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up.
I hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much for looking!