Mac and Cheese Sourdough Skillet (Print)

Creamy pasta and tangy sourdough bake together in a skillet for a comforting main dish.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni or small dried pasta

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sourdough Topping

11 - 1 1/2 cups sourdough bread, torn into bite-sized chunks
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
14 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente; drain and set aside.
03 - In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute.
04 - Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Lower heat. Add cheddar, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; stir until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Fold drained macaroni into the skillet, ensuring noodles are evenly coated.
07 - In a mixing bowl, toss sourdough bread chunks with melted butter, parsley (if using), and Parmesan cheese.
08 - Distribute sourdough mixture evenly over macaroni in skillet.
09 - Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, until topping is crisp and golden.
10 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses just a handful of staples you may already have at home
  • No need for breadcrumbs when leftover sourdough creates the ultimate topping
  • Ready in under an hour but tastes like you cooked all day
  • Vegetarian friendly and crowd pleasing for both kids and adults
02 -
  • Vegetarian main dish that is hearty enough for any occasion
  • Leftover crusty bread is transformed into a perfect topping
  • Easily adapts to different cheese combinations based on what you have
03 -
  • Always toast the flour in the roux long enough or your cheese sauce could end up with an odd raw taste
  • Do not rinse the cooked pasta The starch helps everything cling together
  • If you want extra crispy topping broil the skillet for the last two minutes but do not walk away from the oven

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