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Named “World’s Best Mac and Cheese” is no easy feat, and this Beecher’s Mac and Cheese recipe is tried and true, made at home! No trip to Pike Place Market required!

One of the best things about visiting Seattle is a trip to the famed Pike Place Market. (Do not add the “s”. It’s not “Pike’s Place”.) There are a few things that everyone needs to do when visiting.

See the Flying Fish, and catch one yourself if you can. Oh yeah, I did it!

Go to the original Starbucks, with it’s tiny coffee house charm and original creaky wood floors. Unless there is a line. 

And get some Beecher’s Mac and Cheese. It is known and the “world’s best” for a very good reason (even Oprah agrees). And stock up on the cheese curds, too. The Beecher’s Flagship Cheese sauce and penne noodles are simply perfection. They even have seasonal flavors on ocassion. I had a dill smoked salmon that was heaven! 

But if you can’t make it to Pike Place Market in person, you can now make it at home, thank heaven! It’s a bit of Seattle in your very own home. I am never going to shy away from my absolute favorite comfort food of all time, and this is officially my go-to mac and cheese recipe.

Beecher’s Mac and Cheese Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for preparing dish
• 6 ounces penne pasta
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups milk
• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) grated Beecher’s Flagship cheese, divided
• 2 ounces (about ½ cup) grated Beecher’s Just Jack cheese, divided
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon chili powder, divided
• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

How to Make Beecher’s Mac and Cheese

• Heat oven to 350°F. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish. You can use non stick spray as well.
• Cook the penne 2 minutes less than package directions, since it will finish cooking in the oven. Rinse the pasta in cold water, and set aside for later.
• Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, or Dutch oven, over medium heat, and whisk in the flour. Continue whisking and cooking for 2 minutes and the mixture will be clumpy and start to turn golden brown.
• Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly to create a thick sauce. Cook until sauce thickens, about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Add 1¾ cups of the Beecher’s Flagship cheese, ¼ cup Just Jack cheese, salt, 1/8 teaspoon chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is melted and all ingredients are incorporated, about 3 minutes.
• Combine cooked pasta and sauce in a medium bowl, and mix carefully but thoroughly. Scrape pasta into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with remaining cheeses and then the remaining chili powder.
• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes to let the cheese bubble on top. When done cooking, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Whether you make this as a side dish or a main dish (my energy!) you have to try this Beecher’s handmade cheese mac and cheese! And do not skip the chili powder sprinkle top! 

Tools for the Job

Protein Pasta – Penne

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Hexclad 6 Piece Pot Set

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Cheese Grater

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Whisk

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Boos Block Wood Cutting Board

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Crow Canyon Home

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