There is nothing like making your favorite comfort food when you are having a busy or stressful week. Plus, add cheese and lots of it, to the dish, and your day suddenly improves.
This easy to make Mac and 3 Cheese recipe will become a staple in your home as it is so adaptable to the cheese you have available in the fridge or simply what you like to eat. Should you want to doctor it up with meat, vegetables or truffles, it’s all up to you.
What I also really want to share is why making this recipe in a Lodge cast iron skillet is just the icing on the cake. If you have never used cast iron cookware, you are missing out on what is a legacy form of cookware in families. The beauty of this indestructible cookware is that it now comes in a seasoned version, which means it is essentially a non-stick piece of cookware right from the start. And it goes easily from stovetop to oven should you want that option. There are no concerns about the surface scratching off, PFOA (chemicals sometimes found in non-stick surfaces) or limitations on the utensils you can use when cooking. Whether you are making eggs, frying chicken, making cornbread or a single big chocolate chip cookie, this is an inexpensive piece of cookware that belongs in everyone’s kitchen.
Now, back to the rich and creamy mac and cheese! There are a few tips with this recipe that make what is good EVEN better.
- Use a cast iron skillet rather than ceramic baking pan.
- Put it in a 425 degree oven, empty, while you are making the recipe. Getting it super hot will add a fabulous brown crunchy edge to the mac and cheese.
- Once you finish the components of the recipe and it is in the skillet, add the parmesan cheese, Panko and thyme to the top and bake for 12 minutes or until melted and a little brown.
Enjoy!
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1 cup Gruyere, shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons thyme, finely chopped
- 1 16 ounce package of pasta noodles, short style
- Salt and Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Once at temperature, put empty cast iron skillet in oven.
- Bring water in large pot to boil. Add salt stirring till it dissolves. Add pasta. Cook till al dente. Drain. Put pasta into large bowl.
- In sauce pan, melt butter. Whisk in flour until thoroughly mixed. About 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, half and half, nutmeg and pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, Add pepper. Add 2/3 each of cheddar and Gruyere. Mix until smooth.
- Remove cast iron skillet from oven. Pour cheese sauce over pasta and mix in bowl. Then transfer to seasoned (or oiled) skillet. Evenly sprinkle remaining cheddar and gruyere on top.
- Mix thyme and Panko together. Sprinkle on top of pasta mixture. Then return to oven and bake for 12 minutes till lightly brown with crispy edges.
- Serves 6.
- Use any cheeses you prefer. Additions such as meat, vegetables or truffle salt will all add significant flavor.
I need a cast iron skillet! My hub loves mac and cheese, so this is a recipe he would embrace. I’ll pin it for the future!
This recipe looks amazing! I love cooking in my cast iron skillets. They are so versatile.
I have never tried cooking mac and cheese on a skillet but oh my goodness I do need to that looks amazing! x
I love cooking in a cast ion skillet. I have never considered making mac and cheese in one, though. That looks great! Think I will try this one.
I love mac and cheese and have never seen an iron skillet version before, looks amazing!
I love cooking with my cast iron skillet. Plus Mac & Cheese is one of my family’s favorite comfort foods. Like you said, you just can’t go wrong with cheese…lots of it. 🙂
I don’t know if these cast iron skillets work on our darn flat-glass-top ranges. When I had the “old fashioned” range, and even an induction range (which I loved) I used cast iron for everything. It’s the best the best the best utensil there is!
I understand the love of cast iron cookware. Having worked in the cookware industry, I believe you can put a heat resistant sheet over the glass burner so you can use your cast iron cookware.
What a delicious looking recipe, looking forward to try it
I just made mac and cheese for dinner tonight. It is one of my favorite go to dishes.
oooh this looks so yummy! Real comfort food that i have to make 🙂
I’m totally drooling over the crispiness of this dish. Yes, yes, yes. I need it!
This looks so delicious! I need to get myself a cast iron skillet.
My son’s favorite is mac n’ cheese so I will try your recipe. This looks delicious!
This looks amazing! I love mac n cheese and love it anyway! Your recipes looks to die for!!
I love mac and cheese! This looks like a great recipe that I’ll have to try!
I love mac and cheese! This looks like a great recipe that I’ll have to try!
I haven’t really ever had mac and cheese even though it’s a such a time honored dish. My sis loves it though.
How this post has made me reconsider. OMG it looks sooooo good! I just want to reach into the pictures and try some
Mmm, love comfort food. Gruyere cheese is my favorite!
Mac n cheese will always be a classic favorite! Even the kids love them and I really like looking at new ways to make the dish more exciting for them to enjoy. Thanks for this recipe and I’ll be sure to check that skillet too!
That’s a recipe I will be keeping for sure! It’s mac n cheese, how can you not enjoy it, right? I’m sure my daughter will enjoy this recipe!
I haven’t tried cast iron skillet but I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for the recipe, sounds yummy!
This mac and cheese looks nice. I will try this and I hope that my son will appreciate it.
Even the pictures look comforting, lol. Really! I’d love to try making it in the cast iron skillet
My brother makes these in the restaurant he works for and it’s really really good. Fattening but really good.
My daughter would enjoy this.
And I would enjoy owning a cast iron skillet
This mac n cheese looks so crispy and delicious, I would love an iron skillet myself!
Yum! I love skillet cooking, and my husband loves mac and cheese!
Easy, full of flavor and perfect for the rush of the week! My family love it!
This looks yummy! Mac and cheese is my favorite comfort food!
This meal looks insanely delicious! Will definitely try this recipe this weekend. Thanks for sharing!