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![]() Heres how the rating system works:
Awesome mac and cheese 07/04/2008 at 01:42pm User: Faythe from North Miami Beach, FL User Rating: This recipe is not only delicious, it is so easy to make! Different 06/30/2008 at 10:53pm User: Kathleen from Lusby, MD User Rating: It has a swiss cheese flavor, which did not appeal to me. My husband on the other hand loved it. Rich and Delicious! 06/29/2008 at 11:44am User: Lori from Madison, MS User Rating: More like a pasta dish than the old standby macaroni and cheese. Easy to make and really, really good. Serve with a salad for an easy meal. Wonderful 06/27/2008 at 07:04pm User: Deborah from Rochester, NY User Rating: It was very tasty and the tomatoes were so smooth. I asked my family if they liked it and they came back with a it a keeper. Best Ever Mac and Cheese ! 06/26/2008 at 05:20pm User: Jennifer from Hollywood, FL User Rating: No way Mac and Cheese is Mac and Cheese! Ina's is the best ever. My family will never settle for the traditional M&C I have been making for years. Great flavor, texture and so easy to do! Do yourself a favor and try it>! my kids like Inas mac and cheese 06/19/2008 at 02:44pm User: casey from bakersfield, CA User Rating: Ina Garten is awesome. I tried her mac and cheese recipe for my daycare kids. I did not bake it because they were not wanting to wait for it to bake,and now they ask for it all the time. My parents ask for the recipe. Thx, Ina, Simply awesome! 06/04/2008 at 08:37am User: Emily from Plainwell, MI User Rating: This was a huge hit! I couldn't find Gruyere cheese so I subsituted Fontina instead. I also used only half the amount of nutmeg, per other reviews and I used crushed garlic butter croutons for the topping. Will definitely make this again! Bland 06/04/2008 at 12:06am User: Angela from The Villages, FL User Rating: The recipe sounded great, but after trying it, I found it to be very bland. It can be fixed if you add some salt or used salted butter. We used Monterey Jack because our local store does not carry Gruyer. good mac & cheese 06/03/2008 at 04:05pm User: j from orangevale, CA User Rating: my family liked this recipe though thought it was a bit thick, should have added more milk to make it a touch thinner. it was really thick! the gruyere cheese has a distinct flavor and will try another cheese the next time. thanks ina Lots of pots.....little flavor 05/30/2008 at 04:06pm User: Anonymous User Rating: I love mac n cheese, so after the bit of effort, ingredients, roux making and multiple pots, pans and bowls etc. I was expecting a more flavorful dish. A knock your socks off mac n cheese, but no. Tasty, yes. Skip the time investment and go with a simpler approach. Divine 05/28/2008 at 08:40pm User: Anonymous User Rating: Made half the recipe tonight because it is so rich. Simply amazing! Used cavatappi for a change of pace, 1% milk, and good-quality Italian bread crumbs on top. For the cheeses, used gruyere and sharp cheddar. Love it! Absolutely Delicious 05/26/2008 at 12:28pm User: Mandy from Westchester, CA User Rating: I love homemade mac and cheese and have tried many different recipes. While this recipe is pretty basic, the results are so much better than most because of the flavors of the cheeses, and the extra creamy texture. Both the kids and the adults in our home loved it. Mac and Cheese 05/20/2008 at 10:11am User: Anonymous User Rating: Enjoyed making this classic mac and cheese from scratch. The gruyere cheese and sharp cheddar make this dish unique. I found the instructions easy to follow. I used whole wheat bread instead of white. I would probably add only a pinch of nutmeg next time... it was a little too strong for my son's preference. Overall an good recipe and would make it again. Excellent, but I changed it a bit 05/12/2008 at 04:09pm User: shawn from Las Cruces, NM User Rating: I made this for Mother's Day. First I cut the recipe in half, only 6 of us. I used 4oz Gruyere(expensive) and 6oz Extra Sharp White Cheddar. I heated the milk in the microwave. I used Panko bread crumbs because I had them on hand. Also did not use the tomotoes. Used pasta called trumpets. The entire dish was consumed and they raved about it. Already requesting it again. GOOD FOR ADULTS 05/08/2008 at 11:28am User: Bill from Valley Village, CA User Rating: very nice flavors, a little rich but is should be. Great comfort food 04/30/2008 at 04:45pm User: Anonymous User Rating: This is my hubbie's favorite dish. Love the gourmet cheeses and how they take the timeless dish up a notch. Best Mac & Cheese 04/29/2008 at 03:44pm User: Anonymous User Rating: This is an excellent recipe. I used Sourdough Bread instead of white to make breadcrumbs, and a mix of Sharp Cheddar and Montery Jack. This is a creamy, flavorful homemade recipe. My 3-year old loves it even better than Kraft (which is quite a task!) Excellent 04/20/2008 at 09:24pm User: Anonymous User Rating: This is really good. The only thing that I changed was I did not add any additional salt. The cheese is nice and salty. Wonderful. Thanks for great recipe. The best Mac and Cheese! 04/20/2008 at 01:04am User: Anonymous User Rating: This recipe is a must try. It was really creamy and I liked how it heats up really well the next day. I altered the recipe a little I used two cups of Gruyere instead of four, and four cups of chedder (I used two cups extra sharp and two cups mild). I also used seasond breadcrumbs instead of home made and I think it added a good flavor. Everyone loved this recipe! I will be using this from now on! Best mac and cheese 04/10/2008 at 07:03am User: Anonymous User Rating: I love this mac and cheese! It's easy to make and designed more for the adult palate although my kids love it too. My go-to Mac and Cheese 04/08/2008 at 02:02pm User: Christine from Evans, GA User Rating: I've made this recipe for numerous children and adults and all of them LOVE it! It's fairly simple, makes enough for a crowd and always has people coming back for seconds. The only change I made to the original recipe was that I added just a dash of Worcestershire sauce, just because I think that helps bring out the flavor of the sharper cheese. This is a huge hit! Enjoy! Very rich but good 04/05/2008 at 03:37pm User: Anonymous User Rating: I made this recipe but switched the proportions of sharp cheddar and gruyere due to preference (actually I used Jarlsberg and it came out fine). I would definitely use low-fat or skim milk next time as the amount of cheese makes this dish plenty rich already. I halved the nutmeg and used Italian seasoned breadcrumbs since I wanted some parmesan in the topping. It was great, but I felt like I was making a cardiac-specialty!! Thanks Ina! 04/01/2008 at 09:38pm User: Holly from Tinley Park, IL User Rating: This mac and cheese was very creamy, not gritty at all, and full of flavor. The nutmeg really added an extra boost of flavor that I really enjoyed. The tomatoes on top are genious! I did change a few things about the recipe however. I added 6 tbl of flour b/c I couldnt remember the exact amount the recipe called for, and I used co-jack and white sharp cheddar for the cheeses b/c that is what I had onhand. I was glad I added the extra flour b/c it made it VERY creamy and it was a good blend of cheeses. Next time I would like to try the recommended cheeses, and maybe a little saute'ed onions in there too! Yum-O! This recipe wont disappoint! New Family Favortie! 03/31/2008 at 05:20pm User: Anonymous User Rating: My husband and 2 toddler boys loved this. I left out the tomatoes, didn't have any, and used and equal 8 ounces of Cheddar and Gruyere because that is all I had. Since I had less cheese than the recipe called off I let the butter, flour and milk heat longer and thicken before adding the cheese. A lot of reviews said it was a bit bland so I added a few dashes of Worstershire and hot sauce then for the crumb topping I used Peperridge Farm Herb Seasoned stuffing (dry, mixed with the 2Tbs butter the recipe calls for. Don't scrimp on the cheese! 03/30/2008 at 11:10am User: Lori from Charlotte, NC User Rating: I used 1/2 Gruyere and 1/2 cheddar and cut the overall recipe in 1/2 -- the tomatoes are a wonderful addition, do not omit them! We thought it was the best and not bland at all -- good for "grown ups"! Will make this again and again. yummy vacation meal 03/29/2008 at 02:28pm User: kristi from killeen, TX User Rating: While visiting my Mom in Maine with my 3 kids, she made this recipe. It was fantastic. I make it all the time now and I even made some for friends who were moving into a new home one weekend. It's a favorite for my family and friends too. mac attack 03/24/2008 at 11:36am User: null from null, null User Rating: This is a great tasting dish. Too bad I made it th enight before I was going to serve it...The mac soaked up the creamy liquid. Also I noticed a glitch in the recipe. Could the spices be a teaspoon of salt, pepper and nutmeg? That's what I used; the amount of Gruyere did not coincide with the ounces of cheese and I went shopping for the ounces, not the cup amount, so I was short a cup or 2 of cheese. Not sure. very good 03/21/2008 at 05:31pm User: melissa from johnstown, PA User Rating: I made this recipe for my family for the first time and they loved it. After I had read some of the reviews I did make some changes. I used 2 cups gruyere, 2 cups sharp cheddar, 2 cups mozzarella. I cut nutmeg in half using 1/4 tsp and used 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper. I used panko bread crumbs in butter for the topping!! It had lots of flavor!!!! Great Recipe 03/20/2008 at 09:45pm User: Averi from Kill Devil Hills, NC User Rating: I only used a pinch of nutmeg and that was almost too much! The sauce wasn't as cheesy as I would have liked but overall it was a good dish and a big hit with everyone. Definetly make sure you have a few large pots before you make this though. It serves a bunch. =] The Best Mac and Cheese 03/15/2008 at 08:17pm User: Michele from Stockton, CA User Rating: simple to make but all the flavor of a dish you would slave all day over. Yum 03/12/2008 at 04:32pm User: Anonymous User Rating: Have made this several times.The whole family loves it. I sub the Gruyere for Mozerella because of the cost, and use whole wheat bread instead. Great Recipe! 03/08/2008 at 11:47pm User: MARY ELLEN from Kansas City, MO User Rating: I don't understand the review that says this does not have any flavor. This is the best homemade mac and cheese i have ever had and it has wonderful flavor. I have served this to company and they have loved it and wanted the recipe. You must get a good quality Gruyere and don't use the pre packaged shredded cheddar though. It does make a difference in the flavor. I like to make an extra when I fix this to freeze. The best mac and cheese out there! 03/06/2008 at 05:19pm User: Anonymous User Rating: Amazing, made it once and I can't wait to make it again! I love Contessa! Delicious! 02/25/2008 at 12:27am User: Lisa M. from North Smithfield, RI User Rating: This is a great recipe for mac and cheese! The cheddar and the gruyere compliment each other nicely, making this dish absolutely delicious. Everyone loved it! I'll be making this quite often. Wonderful!! 01/26/2008 at 02:54pm User: marlyn from San Antonio, TX User Rating: This is a wonderful, delicious recipe. We've now made it several times and are always asked for the recipe. the BEST Mac & Cheese ... EVER! 01/21/2008 at 07:49pm User: Bethany from Flint, TX User Rating: I first saw the recipe for this when I was pregnant with my son. Needless to say, I HAD to try it. My hubby is the family chef so he volunteered to make it. He hates tomatoes so we omitted them. The result was SO delicious that he made it again for our extended family on Thanksgiving. It never lasts long and has now become a family tradition. We've made it two years in a row and counting .... Family Favorite 01/15/2008 at 05:39pm User: null from null, null User Rating: No matter what holiday it is, my kids request this. Creamy. So good. I'll be making this dish for years to come. Very creamy and delicious 01/12/2008 at 09:29pm User: Bethany from Santa Fe, NM User Rating: I read some of the other reviews and skipped the nutmeg, and just used sharp cheddar and colby jack. My boyfriend absolutely loved this dish! The tomatoes are a nice touch. I loved how creamy this was- nothing at all like the boxed stuff! everyone loves it 01/04/2008 at 06:36pm User: donna from manassas, VA User Rating: really a hit at works potluck luncheon. also made it for thanksgiving at my nephews and everyone loved it. i have a few variations. if i can find it i will use the smoked gruyere and i make and crumble bacon for the top. this is just a great recipe for mac and cheese. thanks Ina So delicious! 01/02/2008 at 08:41pm User: Alessandra from Dallas, TX User Rating: Took this as a side to a Thanksgiving potluck and was a total crowd pleaser!! Mac and Cheese 12/29/2007 at 07:20pm User: Brenda from Tampa, FL User Rating: The Barefoot Contessa hit a major home with this recipe! I have made it several times and even taken it to a covered dish supper where it was devoured! Yummie!!! Ugh! 12/28/2007 at 07:44pm User: Anonymous User Rating: If you like flavor, you won't like this mac and cheese. savory and elegant 12/25/2007 at 12:04am User: Rudy from Seattle, WA User Rating: I enjoyed cooking this dish for my Christmas dinner. The dish is an elegant swerve on traditional mac&cheese given the guyere influence. I opted to use a very sharp white cheddar from England to maintain presentation. I also left off the bread crumbs but replaced them with a tiny bit of phyllo dough for added presentation. It was a hit and I love it. Plus, it's great left-over material with tuna fish. Mac and Cheese 12/22/2007 at 02:11pm User: Anonymous User Rating: Delicious! Mac and Cheese Contessa Style 12/12/2007 at 03:46pm User: Ed from Dana Point, CA User Rating: This recipe is fabulous. The flavor is wonderful, creamy and cheesy goodness. Whenever I make it, my friends love it and want more. Thank you Ina. Not my favorite.... 11/13/2007 at 04:55pm User: Jodi from Avon, MN User Rating: It was not my family's favorite dish. Actually- no one liked it. I ended up throwing most of it out. It was way to bland. I am really disapointed- I love Ina's recipes. This is the first one that I didn't like. I followed her recipe exactly- oh well- I think I will stick to my normal recipe. crowd pleaser 11/13/2007 at 01:53am User: Jenna from Irvine, CA User Rating: I made this for a Thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit! Kids and adults loved it. I did switch swiss for gruyere, but maybe I'll try gruyere next time. Also, the nutmeg wasn't too strong, as stated in previous reviews. Just right. Maybe some flavored bread crumbs next time? Oh the possibilities! Family Favorite Forever! 11/08/2007 at 02:05pm User: Adrienne from Baltimore, MD User Rating: This recipe, at first, takes a bit to get going--I never make dishes that require more than one pan or pot! This took about 4, but after the 2nd time I made it--no problem! I even modified it according to my kids tastes. I added all white meat turkey breast (diced small) and diced lots of tomatos and added to dish before baking. I have 5 kids--so any recipe for 6-8 is GREAT for me and pretty much the norm! Not a favorite 11/05/2007 at 02:01pm User: Anonymous User Rating: I followed these instructions and for my family it was a bust. I personally didn't think the cheese flavor was strong enough, probably due to the Gruyere cheese. Delightful 10/25/2007 at 04:52pm User: MICHELE from Bend, OR User Rating: Friends cooked this for us for a birthday celebration as one of my all time favorite things to eat is macaroni and cheese. This was top notch, the best I have ever eaten! It goes into my "keeper" file. simply outstanding 10/20/2007 at 06:06pm User: MICHELLE from Laflin, PA User Rating: This recipe is easy and quick. The base sauce is much easier than some other versions of mac and cheese. I would recommend using the cheeses exactly as described in the recipe, quite a few people omit the nutmeg, but fresh ground nutmeg works wonderfully with the gruyere in particular. I'm not so sure it would work well if you use lighter or sweeter cheeses. I cut this in half because it makes a ton, great if you have a big family, but too much for a small family. highly recommend. Truly a Crowd Pleaser - 10/20/2007 at 11:45am User: Wroksie from Atlanta, GA User Rating: Ok. I love this recipe, but the Gruyer cheese can get expensive, especially if you're doubling or trippling the recipe. And the first time I made it, it seemed to take absolutely forever and way too many steps. In fact, I usually boil the macaroni a day ahead. I also have a food processor so the shredding is a breeze. This is the most labor-intensive mac n' cheese I've ever made, but also one of the best recipes. IT ALWAYS WINS at Gatherings/potlucks over everyone else's macn'cheese and most other dishes too! So I think it's worth the work. Less Bread Crumbs 10/10/2007 at 07:32pm User: Jocelyn from Wauconda, IL User Rating: It's a definite will make again. The family loves it! However, I think I would use less breadcrumbs next time. It felt a little too heavy.... Just like mom's 10/09/2007 at 07:26pm User: Chris from Jacksonville, FL User Rating: Great recipe and very easy. I use regular swiss and any type of sharp cheddar. MY LUNCH AND DINNER FOR A WEEK !!!! 10/08/2007 at 08:55pm User: karen from Knoxville, TN User Rating: AWESOME !!!!! I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS ONE. THE EASIEST AND CREAMIEST MAC AND CHEESE I EVER MADE. I NEVER THOUGHT TO USE ANYTHING BUT CHEDDAR CHEESE. USING THE GRUYERE(8oz.) AND I USED EMMEMTHAL SWISS TOO(6oz.)MADE THIS EXCEPTIONAL !!!!! I ADDED A HALF OF A YELLOW ONION TO THE BUTTER BEFORE I ADDED THE FLOUR. MY HATS OFF TO THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA, AND MYSELF. A MUST MAKE. ENJOY !!! Yumm-o 10/07/2007 at 01:38am User: Minann from Castaic, CA User Rating: Ina, your mac and cheese was delicious. I have watched this episode a few times and finally shopped for the ingredients (the cheeses). Hubby hasnt had it yet, but my 87 yr old mom loved it. Thank you for all you do to make it look so easy. I hope you dont leave the food network, you are my favorite. Reassuring 10/05/2007 at 05:21pm User: Janaki from Rockvilee, MD User Rating: saw this in reruns, so i'm obviously quite late to the conversation. I found it very reassuring that Ina bases her Mac & Cheese on a white sauce....I've been doing it this way for years, and my daughter always loved my "home-made" mac/cheese, and turned up her nose when i tried the "shortcut" box versions. I've always been confused at the way Joy of Cooking describes putting together Mac & Cheese - when i've tried their recipe, it never works... Thanks for giving me more confidence to do it the way I like to! Rich and Creamy 08/19/2007 at 05:44am User: Anonymous User Rating: This is a fantastic mac and cheese recipe and I highly recommend it. I omitted the tomatoes and it still turned out delicious. The gruyere gives it a wonderful, nutty flavor. yum yum yum YUM! 08/04/2007 at 06:17pm User: Lulu from Townville, MN User Rating: Yum. That's really all I can say. LOVE this recipe. The tomatoes and the cavatappi make this dish. Very rich, and simply outstanding! 08/02/2007 at 05:47pm User: Lisa from Tuckahoe, NY User Rating: Wow! This was my first attempt at 'real' mac and cheese, and it was just incredible. Very rich, but so delicious! This is the kind of meal where the leftovers 'call you' from the fridge in the middle of the night, and let me tell you, I was sorely disappointed that someone got to them before I did. Be advised - this will feed a lot of people, and hopefully they will all love it as much as my family did! yummy...easy to change up 07/31/2007 at 09:14pm User: Caitlin from Frederick, MD User Rating: This is a gret recipe just as is! The cheese is a little expensive so I added extra swiss and some monterey jack. Turned out great. Some great variations to try...brown up some bite size chicken pieces and diced ham and mix in with some steamed broccoli or dice up some pancetta and sundried tomatoes. (Skip the tomatoes on top for both) WOW 07/25/2007 at 03:43pm User: Lisa from Tarrytown, NY User Rating: I made this for a party and everyone loved it - even my boyfriend who doesn't like Mac & Cheese Fancied Up Favorite 07/17/2007 at 03:33pm User: Anonymous User Rating: Great way to make a traditional dish extraordinary. Wonderful! 07/16/2007 at 07:42pm User: bree from fresno, CA User Rating: I absolutely adore this recipe and can?t believe it only received 4 stars in the reviews. I?ve served this many times, at backyard bbqs, elegant dinner parties (individual servings), etc. It is easy to make and I always get rave reviews. I did make some tiny changes to the recipe, however. I find that using halved cherry tomatoes mixed throughout the dish really help in balancing the richness of the dish. I also add red pepper flake because I like a bit of heat in the dish. Make it, you won?t be disappointed. Good 07/11/2007 at 01:12am User: Cecelia from Tampa, FL User Rating: I expexcted it to be creamier. It was very rich and kinda heavy, I couldn't eat a very big portion and it made a whole lot! All in all it was good and I would make it again when I'm cooking for a crowd. Doesn't get much better than gruyere and cheddar! 07/09/2007 at 08:34pm User: karen from dallas, TX User Rating: This recipe is so delicious! It's the best mac and cheese I've ever made! Perfect recipe 07/02/2007 at 10:56am User: Jessica from Caguas, PR User Rating: easy and slightly Not my favorite 06/25/2007 at 10:29pm User: Ellen from North Bend, OR User Rating: This recipe is very expensive to make, is heavy and very rich. A pan of this would feed approx. 10 people, as the it is so heavy, you can only eat a small amount. I would not make this recipe again. OMG GOOD 06/22/2007 at 09:54pm User: KERI from Salem, MA User Rating: The best I ever made from scratch! The recipe made so much, that I was eating it for what seemed like a month. Next time, I may try to cut it down to a 3-4 serving size. YUMMMMMM! So Decious!! 06/21/2007 at 09:24pm User: Mollie from Mesa, AZ User Rating: I tried this recipe and it has become one of our favorites. I've also made it without the Guyere and used chedder alone. It was still delicious. This recipe is actually really easy to make, too! fantastic! 06/18/2007 at 08:37pm User: Anonymous User Rating: this mac and cheese is so easy and so so so good although I did use different cheeses: sharp white cheddar, gruyere, and smoked fontina. the family raved about it. Great Comfort Food! 06/13/2007 at 08:41pm User: Allison from Manchester, NH User Rating: A hit everytime I serve to a group as a side dish. Tip: do not boil pasta too long, allow time to cook in oven as well. perfect and elegant 06/12/2007 at 05:23pm User: Kate from San Francisco, CA User Rating: The ultimate mac and cheese for entertaining. The Gruyere makes it better than ever. Yummy Adult Mac and Cheese 05/29/2007 at 02:26pm User: Tara from Monroe, NC User Rating: This was a really delicious dish, although we had to substitute the Gruyere with another type of Swiss, the cheese was very expensive and hard to find in the local grocery store. Also it was a little too much pepper so the kids did not like it. I would use it again with less pepper. killer mac and cheese! 05/28/2007 at 11:29pm User: todd from san diego, CA User Rating: I made this to take to a party. it was great! STOUFFER'S?????? 05/27/2007 at 08:32pm User: kiara from Paradise Valley, AZ User Rating: Who in the world would EVER compare something made in ones' kitchen to a frozen product...guess they like lots of salt and other additives....and convenience. Best Mac and Cheese Ever! 05/27/2007 at 07:05pm User: Christine from Brockton, MA User Rating: My husband and I love this simple, yet wonderfully different version. We used all organic ingredients as we think organic is the way to go, if available. For my husband's, I omitted the tomatoes but sprinkled w/ homemade buttered bread crumbs; I put lots of tomatoes on mine w/ more cheese on top and no bread crumbs. Thanks Ina... you're the best! Fantastic! 05/25/2007 at 02:06pm User: Maggie from Burlington, IA User Rating: I got RAVE reviews with this dish! Thanks Ina! Maggie in Burlington, Ia Now my husband's favorite mac and cheese 05/25/2007 at 01:07pm User: Mary from Paso Robles, CA User Rating: This recipe is wonderful. My husband has raved about it all week to everyone. I will definitely make this again for him and company. It is that good. Yum! 05/25/2007 at 02:00am User: Jessica from porterville, CA User Rating: This dish was absolutely delicious. I made it for my boyfriends family and everyone loved it. Thanks! mac & cheese 05/24/2007 at 02:57pm User: Anonymous User Rating: fabulous Love this... 05/24/2007 at 02:19am User: Sharma from Riverton, UT User Rating: This was so easy to entertain with and it tasted wonderful. I served it with Steak and the strong cheese flavor worked wonderful! Mac N Cheesey YUM! 05/23/2007 at 08:55pm User: Nicole from Louisa, VA User Rating: I used a little more cheddar than the parm and it was a little cheesier! best mac & cheese 05/22/2007 at 09:42pm User: Kristen from Marysville, CA User Rating: This is the best mac & cheese my family & I have had. The only thing I did different was add 6oz. of fontina cheese. a nice twist 05/21/2007 at 05:34pm User: Cindy from Enumclaw, WA User Rating: I tried this after looking for a more grown up version for a dinner I was having. My guests enjoyed it a great deal and even my husband who generally won't try anything remotely new loved it. A keeper for the more special occasions. Better than a warm puppy 05/20/2007 at 12:00am User: Vincent from Keauhou, HI User Rating: This has got to be the ultimate comfort food. Having the grater attatchment does make a big differance. YOu can't make too much of teh stuff. It even works pretty wel the next day. Great Macaroni 05/19/2007 at 11:25pm User: Anonymous User Rating: We saw it today on Food Network, downloaded the receipe and WOW! we are still licking our fingers. Definitely mac & cheese for grown-ups! 05/19/2007 at 05:33pm User: Jessica from Stamford, CT User Rating: I made this as a side dish for my aunt & uncle's anniversary dinner, and it was a smash hit. I love Ina's approach to cooking and how she uses good quality ingredients to make standard recipes extra special. Admittedly, the gruyere is a little on the pricey side, but this is not a dish you'd make every night. For a special occasion it was just right. I have already made it three times, once as a side to fried chicken. My family are always asking me when I will be making it again! Ina's recipes are so user-friendly, and I'm never hesitant about trying anything new when it's one of her recipes. She's so clear and precise that if you just follow the recipe to the letter, you're guaranteed a success. INCREDIBLE 05/19/2007 at 04:04pm User: Spencer from Tooele, UT User Rating: This is a incredible recipe that Ina made. I made it for my friends and family at a get together and I got rave reviews. I appreciate the sharing of this recipe Mac and Cheese 05/18/2007 at 06:06pm User: Lesa from Nampa, ID User Rating: I made this for my husband's welcome home party from Iraq and it was a hit! It is a keeper!! Everyone loved it. Great Comfort Food! 05/15/2007 at 05:50pm User: Deborah from Folcroft, PA User Rating: This is now my family's favorite mac and cheese dish. The gruyere takes it to a new level of taste distinction; and it is also very quick and easy to prepare. Out of this World...WORTH MORE THEN 5 STARS 05/13/2007 at 07:32pm User: ELLEN from Miami, FL User Rating: This is by far the BEST macaroni and cheese recipe I have EVER had. This is a keeper in my book. WAY TO GO INA Bland 05/10/2007 at 06:11pm User: Clare from Newtown, CT User Rating: Ina REALLY loves Gruyere cheese. It is in a lot of her recipes. But Mac & Cheese is not where Gruyere belongs as the dominant cheese. In order to make this recipe work I had to switch the two cheeses, add Coleman's mustard, add Cayenne, take out the tomatoes, etc. I am always adjusting her recipes just to get more taste or cut it in half because it?s made for a small army and not a small family. I love Ina but I would like to find one recipe of hers that needs no adjusing. Creamy and delicious 05/07/2007 at 12:10pm User: Anonymous User Rating: My entire family loved this one -- including those who are hard to please. So very creamy. The gruyere and hint of nutmeg elevated this from the ordinary. I'd serve this for a dinner party with no qualms. Disappointing 04/30/2007 at 01:28pm User: Barbara from Huntersville, NC User Rating: Since I like the cheeses used in the recipe I figured I would love this. Wrong! Very disappointed. My husband and I both agreed to throw this out and not keep this. I am a fan of Ina's, so I hate that I was disappointed with this recipe. Creamy Comfort 04/27/2007 at 10:10pm User: Jill from ft. hood, TX User Rating: I made this for my family. At first I thougth it was going to be too liquidy but after I took it out of the oven it was so creamy and bubbly. The tomatoes were perfect and I just love it. My husband is a food lover and he took the time to taste it and said it was different from any Mac&Cheese he ever tasted and by far the best! Good grub! 04/27/2007 at 12:04pm User: JEANNE from Brook Park, OH User Rating: With the exception of the nutmeg, Gruyere and tomatoes, this is the basic mac and cheese recipe I always make. Just reading through the recipe, I noted the 1/2 tsp. nutmeg sounded like a lot so I cut the amount in half and I'm glad of that. The addition of the sliced tomatoes on the top was a pleasing change but I don't think I'd add them every time I make it. I would like to add that I'm grateful people post their individual pros and cons when making these recipes and giving everyone the benefit of their experience because it gives others a heads-up what problems "might" occur. Not everyone likes every ingredient in a recipe so you should feel free to change things around and make it your own. Personally, about 95% of the time I do some tweaking of my own. Thanks, Ina! scrumptious 04/23/2007 at 03:27pm User: DAVID from Denver, CO User Rating: Absolutely delish! I tend to like spicy so I added a good pinch of cayenne. The tomatoes really added to plain old mac and cheese. Makes a ton though - could probably cut it in half and still feed six since it's pretty rich. Best Mac & Cheese 04/23/2007 at 12:44pm User: Tammy from naugatuck, CT User Rating: Best Mac & Cheese I have ever tried. Only thing I am changing is a little less nutmeg. My hushand doesn't care for Mac & cheese, but I love it. Now he wont mind if I make it. Thank you Ina, I can always Count on you. The winner! 04/22/2007 at 11:38pm User: Ruth from Cerritos, CA User Rating: I have been trying recipes all winter trying to find a macaroni and cheese that is extra special. I found it! My family has declared this the winner. I look forward to trying some of the variations reviewers have suggested. delicious 04/22/2007 at 02:23pm User: Christina from Miami, FL User Rating: I cut it in half for my family of 3, but still was good amount. Leftover tasted even better the next day. Highly recommend trying it. Addictive, easy and delicious! 04/22/2007 at 01:25am User: Sayuri from Livermore, CA User Rating: The nutmeg adds flavor depth. As you may know, Rachael Ray uses it a lot as well in pasta bakes, etc. I used all extra sharp cheddar and it worked beautifully. One time I had some pepper jack and used that and it came out just as amazing. This is a recipe that everyone in my family loves and it is so simple. I like to make it in two dishes and freeze one for later. Wonderful 04/20/2007 at 08:33am User: Anonymous User Rating: I am always in search of a good mac and cheese recipe -- this one was absolutely fabulous! It was soooo rich and creamy. I would make this for sure again. Never again 04/19/2007 at 06:22pm User: Donna from Woodbridge, VA User Rating: Messy clean up, costly cheese, way too many steps for nothing more than average. Stouffer's is a better buy. wonderful dish... could you a little kick 04/18/2007 at 01:48am User: Danielle from La Habra, CA User Rating: This is a really great recipe, but it can also be slightly bland. I added jalepenos to it to give it a bite and it was fabulous. Just add the jalepenos when you add the cheese and it cooks in fabulously! wonderful mac and cheese! 04/17/2007 at 05:36pm User: TERRY from Rockville, MD User Rating: excellent recipe! My husband and his buddies ate the whole dish. very good 04/17/2007 at 03:40pm User: TAMMY from littleton, CO User Rating: After reading some previous ratings before making this dish, I made some adjustments to the recipe as well. This is a very rich dish--I made it with 1/2 whole milk & 1/2 skim, substituted Emmetalier cheese (couldn't find Gruyere) and only used 8oz shredded, added another teaspoon of salt, only a pinch of nutmeg,1 cup flour, and 2 roma tomatoes. It was delicious! Exquisite 04/16/2007 at 08:49pm User: Penny from Spanaway, WA User Rating: I absolutely love Ina Garten and Sandra Lee. I never miss their shows on a daily basis. I love cooking and really enjoy the new recipes they offer. Keep up the great shows, Penny Best Baked Mac & Cheese I've Made YET!! 04/16/2007 at 08:28pm User: Emily from New York, NY User Rating: I've tried sooo many recipes and they're either too bland or too dry or too processed. This is by far my most FAVORITE mac & cheese and I'm probably going to make this for a long time. Perfect! I made a few modifications out of necessity. I halved the recipe. I didn't have grueyre on hand so I used 1 c grated monteray jack, 1 c grated mild cheddar, 1/4 c grated pepper jack, and 1/4 c grated pecorino romano. On top of the spices in the recipe I added dashes of onion salt, garlic salt, and white pepper. The cheese has a lot of salt so be careful with any additional salt. I omitted tomatoes (don't like warm tomatoes) and used crushed corn flakes instead of bread crumbs. I added some extra milk at the end because it looked a tad dry. Turned out perfect! This is a simple recipe that uses a lot of pots but is definitely worth it!!! DEELISH!! 04/16/2007 at 07:54pm User: Judy from Exeter, CA User Rating: Leave it to Ina to crank up the flavor!! Another great one. Thanks Ina home run 04/16/2007 at 06:02pm User: Anonymous User Rating: Wow. This is sinfully delicious! Loved the crunchy breadcrumbs on top. I added fresh thyme which was delicious with the cheese. Also added fresh parsley to the breadcrumbs for a little flavor and color. I used 2% milk and 1/2 the recommended butter to cut down calories just a bit. AWESOME 04/16/2007 at 05:51pm User: Gary from Margate, FL User Rating: Tried this recipe and got requests for the recipe was glad to make copies. One of the "BEST" mac and cheese dishes ever. Ina's mac and cheese 04/16/2007 at 02:31am User: Chelsea from Bellingham, WA User Rating: LOVED IT! As did my friends. After reading other reviews, I was nervous that the gruyere and/or the nutmeg would be too strong. But, I trusted Ina and I thought the flavors all blended so perfectly. It was a great friday night dinner when matched with a green salad. I'll definitely make this again. Super YUM! 04/15/2007 at 01:13pm User: Kelli from Enfield, CT User Rating: This mac and cheese is the best! Takes a lot of pans to prepare the dish, but overall it's so simple to make! It's a gigantic dish so prepare for leftovers. Have played around with the portions of gruyere cheese to cheddar and like it even more with more cheddar and less gruyere...but anyway you make it, it's super yum! One of my favorite Ina recipes! Yummy! 04/15/2007 at 10:55am User: Gina from Salem, NH User Rating: This was an easy and delicious recipe, however since I am not a fan of nutmeg I omitted it right from the beginning. I will make this Mac and cheese over and over again! Thanks, Ina! easy family meal 04/14/2007 at 09:51pm User: Jennifer from Longmont, CO User Rating: Excellent! I cut the recipe in half and still had leftovers. Even after my husband had seconds. Yum Yum... 04/14/2007 at 12:49pm User: Nicole from San Diego, CA User Rating: Comfort food at its finest!! I did use the Grueyere, but like the other review, wow, pungent!! My little nieces did not like the super strong smell or taste, but the adults did. I would use less or swap for another cheese next time. Ina NEVER, EVER disappoints!! She is my favorite and she applies a French flair to all her cooking and this recipe is no exception. Ina is the ultimate kitchen goddess. KEEP IT UP INA, WE LOVE YOU!!! Excellent Choice! 04/12/2007 at 01:49pm User: Scott from Colorado Springs, CO User Rating: I made this recipe for the family the other night and it turned out beautifully! I had some leftover Horseradish White Chedddar on hand and used it along with the Gruyere. For those who had issues, I have 2 suggestions... First, make sure you use regular Gruyere as opposed to Aged Gruyere to avoid the pungency and overpowering taste. Second, make sure to grate the cheese very finely so it will melt quickly and incorporate with the white sauce (I used my handheld Parmagiano grater). We ate the entire pan that evening and plan to make again soon! Smooth and Satisfying 04/07/2007 at 10:30am User: Anonymous User Rating: This is Mac and Cheese elevated to sumptuous. Okay Mac 04/03/2007 at 09:58am User: Anonymous User Rating: It was okay. Great recipe for Mac-n-Cheese novices! 04/02/2007 at 02:36pm User: Yavanna from Richmond, CA User Rating: This is the first recipe for Mac and cheese I've found that comes out not only close to my mother's homemade mac-n-cheese, but actually tastes better! It also makes a good basic recipe in that it is easy to swap out the cheeses and add different ingredents to make different flavors. Pretty Good 03/26/2007 at 09:53pm User: Lisa from Galt, CA User Rating: I substituted Monterey Jack cheese for the guyere, and I added seasoned bread crumbs instead of regular. It was good, but very rich. I think this would be good as a side dish rather than a main one. It makes a lot! Great Mac and Cheese 03/07/2007 at 06:58pm User: Anonymous User Rating: This was a great recipe! My husband and kids loved it! I didn't taste the nutmet like some of the viewers mentioned. It was not enough to taste it. I only used a pinch of nutmet! The combination of the tomatoes with the mac and cheese was delicious...only next time, I will add more tomatoes! Thanks for such great recipe! Very Good 02/19/2007 at 11:31am User: Anonymous User Rating: This was pretty good, the only comment I have it that it kinda lacked a cheesey, tangy taste. It might be better a day later. I did like the tomatoes on top and overall it was fine and I would make it again but I still prefer Martha's mac & cheese. Mac and Cheese 02/18/2007 at 03:58pm User: Erin from Doylestown, OH User Rating: There was nothing bland about this recipe! My whole family loved it and raved about it for days. The recipe makes a ton so unless your feeding lots of people, plan on having leftovers for a few days. This will be a keeper in my recipe book! Best Football Game Dish 02/13/2007 at 01:23pm User: Nicole from Northboro, MA User Rating: I made this for a football. I doubled the recipe and good thing I did because it was the first thing to go. Nice take on an old favorite 02/12/2007 at 02:01pm User: N from Bethesda, MD User Rating: I really enjoyed this recipe with the extra cheeses and the tomato topping. I also tried pepper-jack cheese instead of cheddar and it gave it a nice extra kick. My worries went away just as the mac n' cheese did 02/12/2007 at 07:15am User: BRIGITTE from hattiesburg, MS User Rating: I thought it might be too flavorful for the kids and their 'boxed' taste buds. I was worried that I made a double batch but it was gone in the end. Finally a homemade mac n'cheese that the kids didn't plea for the boxed! So Tasty 02/11/2007 at 11:09am User: PAULA from Newark, NJ User Rating: I'm used to mac and cheese with a "regular" cheese like cheedar. The gruyere gives this dish a really nice kick. YUM! 02/11/2007 at 12:46am User: Anonymous User Rating: Wow - most delicious mac & cheese EVER! Comfort Food at Its Best 02/04/2007 at 12:50pm User: SUSAN from Kennebunk, ME User Rating: This recipe is delicious and very easy. I've made it several times and it always gets RAVE reviews from family and friends. Sometimes I add a few glugs of dry sherry (1/4 cup?) just before I mix the cheese sauce with the pasta. A bit on the fattening side (!) so I refrain from making it as often as we'd like to have it. Love it 02/03/2007 at 05:51pm User: Susan from Gainesville, FL User Rating: I made this for kids and adults. It was a great hit. Reduced the amount of Gueyre and added white cheddar to make it a little more traditional. Wonderful comfort food. Better than any I've ever had! 02/02/2007 at 07:04pm User: SINKY from Grand Rapids, MI User Rating: This has got to have been not only the easiest but the best tasting home-made Mac and cheese I've ever had! My daughter just eat's it as a snack. Never again will I buy only Sharp Cheddar to make my mac&cheese, only this way from here on.And I'm a Southern girl! Thanks Ina! Not sure about this one 02/01/2007 at 09:42am User: Sharon from Dundee, MI User Rating: I made this followin the directions to a tee and even using the cavatappi pasta. The cheese was EXPENSIVE too. Anyhow, it wasn't as GRAND as I expected and we were disappointed. The flavor of the cheese just didn't shine through though I enjoyed the nutmeg. I will stick with my 5 cheese macaroni. I do enjoy INA and I love many other recipes, this one however will not be in my recipe book. The Cheesy Mac for Adults 01/31/2007 at 04:02pm User: MIMI from Austin, TX User Rating: Very delicious and it definitely has that Ina Garten twist. Followed the recipe per the directions, minus the tomatoes and it was fabulous! Note the dish does have that gourment taste, but overall it satisfied that comfort food craving. For that good old fashioned Mac & Cheese taste that you remember as a kid, I would stick to regular cheedar (skip the Gouda/Swiss). Yum-Meeeeee! 01/30/2007 at 03:50pm User: Anonymous User Rating: delicious,great flavor, not too hard to make. great mac and cheese 01/26/2007 at 09:27pm User: janet from northbrook, IL User Rating: Made this for superbowl party,everybody loved it.It hit the spot, even great left over.Ina's the greatest!!!!! THE BEST Mac and Cheese EVER 01/24/2007 at 04:17pm User: Christina from Lakewood, CA User Rating: My office went WILD for this recipe. The boss took a copy of the recipe home to make for her family! Not difficult to make at all! Perfect! love it 01/23/2007 at 12:26am User: Shelby from Mountain View, CA User Rating: I absolutely love this recipe!!!! I make it atleast once a month....I often use equal parts guyere and chedder to save money. It does not change the taste too much.... Cheesy but lacks flavor 01/22/2007 at 04:59pm User: Anonymous User Rating: I used the exact cheeses she did but the taste is much to bland.It doesnt taste like mac'n'cheese and it lacks the sharp flavor of pasta with four cheeses. Slightly disappointed. Easy! 01/20/2007 at 08:47pm User: Lauren from moxee, WA User Rating: I also omitted the tomatoes (as my husband doesn't care for them). I used skim milk for the sauce and it worked fine. I used a mixture of sharp cheddar, provolone, & parmesan cheese - yummmy! All are very easy to find at the store. Easy 01/18/2007 at 07:38pm User: Linda from Houston, TX User Rating: Easy to make. Rich in flavor. Great 01/17/2007 at 08:20pm User: Barbara from Kerrville, TX User Rating: Really easy to make, and very easy to eat Sinful!!! 01/14/2007 at 07:16pm User: julie from Aliso Viejo, CA User Rating: This was wonderful. My family loved it. Great dish! 01/11/2007 at 02:02pm User: Janet from Oceanside, CA User Rating: I loved this dish, sort of a grown up version, not the impossibly yellow, gloppy stuff we all think of when we hear "mac & cheese". I used extra-sharp white Vermont cheddar along with the gruyere, and didn't use quite as much milk. The nutmeg just put this over the top! My dinner guests were licking their plates! Thanks, Ina! You cannot go wrong with this! 01/09/2007 at 03:51pm User: Julie from Aliso Viejo, CA User Rating: I don't think the simmer times are correct in the sauce directions, however, with a little extra time, this recipe is FANTASTIC :) best ever 12/27/2006 at 10:25am User: Anonymous User Rating: This was the best mac & cheese ever. Everyone raved about it, fighting over the leftovers. Will definitely make over and over again. Giving the recipe to all the guests! loved it! 12/25/2006 at 07:27pm User: liz from cartersville, GA User Rating: I absolutely loved this recipe! I made it tonight for my family Christmas dinner and not only was it easy it was wonderful! everyone loved it. The only thing I did different was that I used 12 oz of regular swiss and omitted the tomato on top, it was a hit! Truly wonderful 12/19/2006 at 06:10pm User: Alison from Raleigh, NC User Rating: Didn't change a thing (almost unheard of for me)and all ten of us at the table loved it. Ina does it again 12/19/2006 at 01:36pm User: Lisal from Benbrook, TX User Rating: very good, used gouda and pepper jack along with cheddar and only a dash of nutmeg, whats so nice about this recipe is that its still good regardless of what cheese you have on hand. Delicious, yum, yum... 12/12/2006 at 11:29am User: Anonymous User Rating: I first saw this recipe being done on TV and it looked so simple and so delicious and it did not disappoint me at all. I did not have the fancy cheese, so I substituted with mozzarella cheese and it was delicious. My family was really happy with the recipe and I combine it with breaded chicken. (no counting calories this day) This one is a keeper and it is going on my recipe box. very cheesey 12/09/2006 at 12:56pm User: Anonymous User Rating: | ||||||||||||