{"id":"mac_and_cheese_df07843aaa","slug":"classic-american-mac-and-cheese","title":"Classic American Mac and Cheese","description":"A rich, creamy, and comforting American staple featuring elbow macaroni smothered in a velvet three-cheese sauce and baked to golden perfection.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 lb elbow macaroni","name":"Macaroni","quantity":450,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"elbow","notes":"dry","group":"Pasta","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/2 cup unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":113,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"sticks","notes":"unsalted","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 cup all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"all-purpose","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 cups whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":710,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"whole milk preferred","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 cup heavy cream","name":"Cream","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded","name":"Cheddar Cheese","quantity":450,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"shredded","notes":"sharp","group":"Cheese","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded","name":"Gruyere Cheese","quantity":225,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"shredded","notes":"","group":"Cheese","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Salt and pepper to taste","name":"Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/2 tsp smoked paprika","name":"Paprika","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"smoked","group":"Seasoning","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a large 9x13 inch baking dish.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the elbow macaroni for about 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.","group":"Cooking Pasta","title":"Cook the elbow macaroni","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Cooking Pasta"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, making sure it doesn't brown.","group":"Sauce Base","title":"In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Base"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble slightly.","group":"Sauce Base","title":"Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Base"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Reduce heat to low. Stir in 3 cups of the cheddar cheese and all of the Gruyere cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.","group":"Cheese Integration","title":"Reduce heat to low","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cheese Integration"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.","group":"Assembly","title":"Fold the cooked macaroni","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the top is slightly golden.","group":"Baking","title":"Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"For the best texture, grate your cheese from a block rather than buying pre-shredded; it melts much smoother. Don't overcook the pasta during the boiling stage as it will continue to cook in the oven.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Soul Food"]},"course":["main","side"],"cookingMethod":["bake","boil","simmer"],"equipment":["Large pot","Whisk","Baking dish (9x13)","Dutch oven or large saucepan"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"servings","note":"Generous main course portions"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Prepare the sauce and noodles, combine, and store in the fridge before baking. Add an extra 10 minutes to the bake time if cold from the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in the oven covered with foil to keep it creamy, or microwave with a splash of milk."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmac_and_cheese_df07843aaa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=afc3234c-8e6d-4237-abd6-f5606cb2981e","imageAlt":"Classic American Mac and Cheese — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cheesy","comfort food","pasta","baked","classic"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic American Mac and Cheese","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:21:01.510Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:21:01.510Z","related":[{"id":"bagel_with_lox_ba134c5918","slug":"bagel-with-lox","title":"Bagel with Lox","description":"A classic New York-style breakfast featuring a toasted bagel topped with silky cream cheese, savory smoked salmon, salty capers, and fresh red onion.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["New York"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","low_sugar"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbagel_with_lox_ba134c5918%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=87e7d1ee-c704-487f-8afc-b50c916cc52b","imageAlt":"Bagel with Lox — recipe cover","tags":["salmon","lox","bagel","breakfast","brunch","quick","high-protein"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"breakfast_burrito_1eabfe4e76","slug":"breakfast-burrito","title":"Breakfast Burrito","description":"A classic American morning staple featuring savory breakfast sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, and melted cheddar cheese wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbreakfast_burrito_1eabfe4e76%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1ae76925-2eb9-4809-8c63-4c7347000b98","imageAlt":"Breakfast Burrito — recipe cover","tags":["breakfast","burrito","eggs","sausage","high protein","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5},{"id":"cheeseburger_e888ac3a3d","slug":"classic-american-cheeseburger","title":"Classic American Cheeseburger","description":"A juicy, perfectly seared beef patty topped with melted cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy pickles on a toasted brioche bun.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcheeseburger_e888ac3a3d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=cdb73eda-0269-4a33-84cb-2cf01a0a4cff","imageAlt":"Classic American Cheeseburger — recipe cover","tags":["cheeseburger","beef","classic","sandwich","grilling"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5}]}