Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich

Prepare

1. 🥄Make the mac and cheese

Cook

1. 🔥Bring a medium saucepan of generously salted water (you want it to taste like seawater) to a boil.
2. 🧂Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes, or according to the package directions.

Steps

1. 🧂The pasta should be tender but still chewy.

Prepare

1. 🍳While the pasta is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Steps

1. 🫇Drain the pasta in a colander.
2. 🍽️Place the empty pasta pan (no need to wash it) over low heat and add the butter.

Prepare

1. 🍽️When the butter has melted, whisk in the flour mixture and continue to cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture is beginning to brown and has a pleasant, nutty aroma, about 1 minute.

Steps

1. 🌿Watch carefully so it does not scorch on the bottom of the pan.

Prepare

1. ✨Slowly whisk the milk and cream into the flour mixture until everything is really well combined.
2. 🥄Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is heated through and just begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.

Steps

1. 🥄Remove from the heat.
2. 🔥Gradually add the cheese while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula and keep stirring until the cheese has melted into the sauce.

Cook

1. 🔥Then stir in the drained cooked pasta.

Steps

1. 🧂Line a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-centimeter) rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Cook

1. 🍳Coat the paper or foil with nonstick cooking spray or slick it with butter.

Prepare

1. 🫇Pour the warm mac and cheese onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula.

Cook

1. 🍽️Coat another piece of parchment paper with cooking spray or butter and place it, oiled or buttered side down, directly on the surface of the mac and cheese.

Steps

1. 🌿Refrigerate until cool and firm, about 1 hour.

Cook

1. ✨Make the grilled cheese

Steps

1. 🥄Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
2. 🔥In a small bowl, stir together the 4 tablespoons (55 grams) butter and garlic powder until well blended.

Prepare

1. 🔥Remove the mac and cheese from the refrigerator and peel off the top layer of parchment paper.
2. 🧂Carefully cut into 8 equal pieces.

Cook

1. 🧂Each piece will make 1 grilled mac and cheese sandwich.

Steps

1. 🍳(You can stash each individual portion in a double layer of resealable plastic bags and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 1 month.)

Prepare

1. 🫇Spread 3/4 teaspoon garlic butter on one side of each bread slice.
2. 🍽️Place half of the slices, buttered-side down, on a clean cutting board.
3. 🌿Top each with one slice of Cheddar, then 1 piece of the mac and cheese.

Steps

1. 🍽️(Transfer from the baking sheet by scooting your hand or a spatula under each piece of mac and cheese and

Prepare

1. 🌿then flipping it over onto a sandwich.) Place 1 slice of Jack on top of each.
2. ✨Finish with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up.

Steps

1. ✨Using a wide spatula, place as many sandwiches in the pan as will fit without crowding it.

Cook

1. 🥄Cover and cook until the bottoms are nicely browned, about 4 minutes.
2. 🔥Turn and cook until the second sides are browned, the cheese is melted, and the mac and cheese is heated through, about 4 minutes more.

Steps

1. 🔥Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Prepare

1. 🧂Cut the sandwiches in half, if desired, and serve.