Brown Butter Mac & Cheese

A good source of happiness!

Ingredients:

• 1 box pasta of choice - big shells hold a lot of sauce
• 1 stick butter, cubed
• ½ onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsp AP flour
• 2 cups whole milk or heavy cream (plus more to reach your desired consistency)
• 1 cup grated Gouda or cheddar
• 1 cup grated Fontina or Gruyere
• 6 slices (½ lb) American cheese - makes it extra creamy
• 1 tsp onion granules
• Black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste (1-1 ½ tsp)
• Parmesan for topping (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. How to brown butter: in a large skillet/pan on medium heat, melt butter cubes. Once melted, continuously stir the butter on the heat (scraping the bottom of the pan) as it foams and turns golden brown (3-4 mins). Continue stirring as the milk solids at the bottom of the pan start to brown after about 5 mins (they look like little specs) and the liquid turns amber color. When this happens, add onions and garlic and sauté until soft (about 3-4 mins). 
3. Add the flour, stirring it around for 2-3 minutes so it can absorb some of the moisture/flavors.
4. Add the milk, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until it heats up.
5. Add cheeses, one at a time until fully melted. Stir in more milk to reach desired consistency.
6. Stir in onion granules, black pepper, salt.
7. In a large serving bowl, mix together pasta & cheese sauce, top with parmesan, & enjoy!

Nutrition Resources: