Sylvia's Mac And Cheese Recipe - Naznin's Kitchen (2024)

by Naznin Aktar

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Imagine a world where comfort and flavor collide in a symphony of cheesy goodness. That world exists, and it goes by the name of Sylvia’s Mac and Cheese Recipe.

In this article, we’ll delve into the origins, the culinary genius behind it, and the steps to recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen.

Table of Contents

Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese Recipe

Recipe Details:

  • Time: 45 minutes
  • Course: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Calories: Approximately 450 calories per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for a kick)
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded

Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions

  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously to create a roux.
  3. Season the roux with salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Continue whisking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to low, and add the cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gruyere cheeses. Stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until well-coated.
  7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
  10. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Sylvia's Mac And Cheese Recipe - Naznin's Kitchen (1)

Tips For Perfecting The Dish

  1. Cheese Selection: Experiment with different cheese combinations for a personalized flavor profile. Sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan blend well together.
  2. Consistent Stirring: Stir the cheese sauce consistently to ensure a smooth texture and prevent it from sticking to the pot.
  3. Cooking The Roux: Pay attention when cooking the roux; it should be golden but not browned to avoid a nutty flavor.
  4. Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow cheese and milk to reach room temperature before starting. This ensures a smoother and quicker melting process.
  5. Creamy Texture: If the sauce is too thick, add a little extra milk to achieve the desired creamy consistency.
  6. Baking Time: Keep an eye on the baking time to prevent overcooking. The top should be golden, and the inside creamy.
  7. Make-Ahead: Prepare components in advance. Assemble and bake just before serving for a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
  8. Reheating: If reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk before reheating to restore the creamy texture.
  9. Personalization: Encourage creativity! Add in ingredients like diced ham, caramelized onions, or sautéed mushrooms for unique variations.

Conclusion

Sylvia’s Mac and Cheese Recipe is not just a dish; it’s an experience. From its humble beginnings to its current culinary excellence, this recipe embodies the spirit of comfort and joy.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, Sylvia’s Mac and Cheese recipe is a must-try.

FAQs

Can I Use Different Types Of Cheese In Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese?

Absolutely! Experiment with various cheeses to discover your perfect blend of flavors.

Can I Prepare Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese In Advance?

While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare components in advance and assemble just before serving.

What Side Dishes Pair Well With Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese?

Consider a crisp salad or roasted vegetables to complement the richness of the dish.

Are There Vegetarian Or Vegan Alternatives For Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese?

Yes, explore plant-based cheese and milk alternatives for a vegetarian or vegan-friendly version.

Sylvia's Mac And Cheese Recipe - Naznin's Kitchen (2)

Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for a kick
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

  • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously to create a roux.

  • Season the roux with salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Continue whisking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

  • Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

  • Reduce the heat to low, and add the cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gruyere cheeses. Stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth.

  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until well-coated.

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

  • Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

  • Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Keyword Sylvia’s Mac And Cheese Recipe

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Naznin Aktar

Publisher at Naznin's Kitchen

I am Naznin, the recipe creator and blogger behind Naznin's Kitchen (since 2021). I like to try new recipes, especially when they are delicious, so those are my recipes... Hope you like it! Thank you for your time!

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Sylvia's Mac And Cheese Recipe - Naznin's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

1. It takes two cheeses to tango with mac. For really great macaroni and cheese, you need a cheese that melts well and a cheese that packs a punch. A few cheeses do both (that's a shout out to you, cheddar, emmentaler, and your other alpine-style, fondue favorites).

Why put mustard in mac and cheese? ›

Our answer. Nigella's Sweet Potato Macaroni Cheese (from SIMPLY NIGELLA) has pasta and a cheese sauce that is bolstered with earthy cooked sweet potatoes. Mustard is added to the sauce to give it a little extra piquancy and to cut through some of the richness.

Why do you need a roux for mac and cheese? ›

In mac and cheese, the fat is typically butter, although there may be good reason to swap in oil. Roux thickens whatever liquid you add it to, but only a well-made roux will do so while also imparting velvety rich smoothness, per MasterClass.

Why do people put egg in macaroni? ›

If you like your Mac and Cheese baked, adding eggs allows the sauce to thicken. It makes for a richer and deeper tasting dish. Why do people put flour in mac and cheese? The mornay sauce (bechamel plus cheese) made with a flour and butter roux, keeps the cheese from breaking when it is heated.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

How do you keep homemade mac and cheese creamy? ›

Add more milk if you haven't already. More milk leads to less dry mac and cheese. If that doesn't work and you've already tried, use a different type of cheese. Velveeta works well.

Why you should never boil pasta in water for mac and cheese? ›

When you cook pasta in water, the water (and all the starch from the pasta that's released as it cooks) is poured down the drain. By cooking the pasta in milk instead, you get to keep all that starchy goodness for your cheese sauce.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

Why is my homemade mac and cheese not creamy? ›

Things that I've learned are:
  • don't use low fat milk -- the higher the fat content the smoother your cheese will melt/incorporate.
  • once the base is made (the flour, butter, milk "sauce" -- bechamel?) take the pot OFF the heat.The more your heat your cheese sauce, the more it will get gritty.
Sep 5, 2019

What are the ingredients in Gordon Food Service mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

What kind of cheese does Gordon Ramsay use? ›

Ramsay's recipe calls for Romano cheese with Pepperberry, Asiago cheese, thick slices of country bread, and kimchi. Some standard butter, olive oil, and salt are also in the mix. I went to my local grocery store, Foodtown, to see if I could find the slightly upscale ingredients. I had to purchase a few alternatives.

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