Crispy Cheese Mac and Cheese
Just think, a big block of crispy cheese on your plate, and when you dig into it, creamy mac and cheese comes oozing out. That is what you get with this crispy mac! Think like a calzone, but instead of bread you get crispy salty chewy cheese! Its cheese on cheese on cheese and that’s just how I like it.
The idea for this recipe
I have had the idea to put mac and cheese in a crispy cheese shell for a while but I couldn’t really visualize how I would do it. One idea was to make a sheet of the crispy cheese in a pan, then form it into a mold and add the pasta inside. Another was to make the crispy cheese in a pan, then add the pasta and roll it up like an omlette. Finally when I realized I could use my trusty ramekins, I knew I was on to something!
Make the simple sauce
For a recipe like this I used my favorite super simple stovetop style mac and cheese recipe. I thought it would make things easiest, as well as remain creamy in the middle. Start with evaporated milk and cornstarch in a bowl, then pour it into a pan with some melted butter to thicken up.
Finish the mac and cheese
After the sauce cools, add in the pasta, then the cheeses and stir to combine. Some of the cheese will melt, and some won’t. The rest will melt in the oven!
Line and fill the ramekins
First parchment paper, then cheese. I also used a little oil spray on these, but honestly I don’t think you need it. Then add the mac and cheese, and more cheese on top.
Bake the mac and cheese until crispy
Look how browned this got! The mac and cheese is brown and crispy around all the edges. I baked it at 450 for about 35-40 minutes. I tested when it was ready by using a knife to pull some of the cheese from the parchment to make sure it was good and browned. Allow to cool before you pop it out of the ramekins.
Serve the crispy cheese mac and cheese
You could top this with something if you wanted. Pickled jalapenos? Sour cream? But really it doesn’t need anything.
When you dig in and break through the crispy cheese layer, the mac comes oozing out. So good!
This is a decadent and indulgent meal but it tastes so good!
Twists on this recipe
You could add some other ingredients to the mac and cheese like ground beef or hot dogs or salami. I also like cauliflower or pickled jalapenos.
For more mac and cheese goodness, check out my pork belly mac, mac and cheese fries, or this mac and cheese carnitas burrito!
Crispy Cheese Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces elbow mac
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces jack cheese
- 16 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Whisk the evaporated milk with the cornstarch and salt until combined.
- Melt the butter in a pan and whisk in the milk mixture. Bring to a simmer and it with thicken. Remove from heat
- Cook pasta to package instructions, but about a minute or two less than it says.
- Stir the pasta into the milk mixture right when you strain it. Then add in the cheeses. Stir to combine. The cheese will melt slightly but not all the way.
- Preheat oven to 450
- Line the mini ramekins with parchment paper, then line them with the slices of cheese. Use photos above for reference.
- Pack the mac and cheese into the ramekins, then top with the last slices of cheese.
- Place the ramekins onto a baking sheet because they will be dripping oil while baking. Bake at 450 for about 35-40 minutes until the top is very browned and the edges are starting to come away from the paper.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Use a knife to make sure the cheese isnt sticking to any edges. Remove from the ramekins, then remove the paper. Plate and serve.
I didn’t have evaporated milk so I tried making my own. I baked at 450 for 35 mins like the recipe says. The top was super crisp, but the roux and cheesy sauce seemed to completely disappear. All I tasted was mac and hardened cheese….no creaminess in the middle. Not sure what went wrong.😕
Dan,
I don’t have an oven at this time. Would like to know if this Mac n Cheese recipe can be made in an Air Fryer?
It should work! It might even be more crispy on the edges