French Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

By
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin is a freelance lifestyle writer and recipe developer. Her expertise is in French cuisine, which she writes about and teaches.
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Updated on 02/1/22
French macaroni and cheese
Armstrong Studios / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
674 Calories
51g Fat
31g Carbs
24g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 674
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 51g 65%
Saturated Fat 30g 150%
Cholesterol 146mg 49%
Sodium 819mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 583mg 45%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 147mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

There's no such thing as having too many recipes for mac and cheese, and this one is likely different from others you've tried before. The French feel brings a certain something to this humble comfort food dish—heightening it ever so much with the addition of crème fraîche, along with Gruyère and Cantal cheeses.

This French macaroni and cheese recipe tastes velvety smooth, rich, and just a touch sophisticated; it's nothing at all like those little blue boxes of dry, salty mix sold in markets and convenience stores. It's also different from casserole-type mac and cheeses. This is fancy mac and cheese.

French mac and cheese takes only 40 minutes to prepare, much less than a quarter of which is spent actively cooking. Use this French-style mac and cheese as an unexpected side dish on a dinner menu or as the focal point of a winter-themed mountain lodge party.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces small macaroni

  • 1 clove garlic, halved lengthwise

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 1/4 cups crème fraîche

  • 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese , divided

  • 2 cups grated Cantal cheese, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  2. Prepare the macaroni according to package instructions and drain it.

  3. While the macaroni is boiling, rub the cut end of the garlic across the entire inner surface of a 3-quart baking dish.

  4. Brush the same surface with the melted butter.

  5. Pour the drained macaroni into the prepared baking dish.

  6. Stir the crème fraiche, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheeses, salt, and pepper into the pasta.

  7. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the remaining Gruyère and Cantal over the surface of the macaroni and cheese.

  8. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly throughout and turns light golden brown on top.

  9. Serve immediately.

Tip

In case you've never heard of it or tried it, Cantal is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese that originates in the region of France bearing the same name. Its flavor is mellow and nutty. If you can't find it, substitute a mild cheddar instead.

How to Store and Freeze French Mac and Cheese

Any leftover mac and cheese will keep for three to five days, covered, in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze mac and cheese safely for at least three months.