Alplermagronen - Swiss Macaroni and Cheese
Better than Kraft's fluorescent orange mac & cheese? That doesn't seem possible, but it very well might be. Baked with a good melting cheese and crusty top covered in crunchy fried onions and a dollop of warmed applesauce on the side, This dish is truly wonderful. If you want to slip some greens into it, you can always add some frozen baby peas.
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Servings: 6
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large bowl
- Colander
- Oven-proof casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Grated Alpenzer cheese (or shredded Emmenthaler or Gruyere)
- 1 lb Macaroni (Penne, ziti, large elbow, or another thin tubed pasta)
- 2 large Potatoes, peeled and diced similar to macaroni size
- ⅓ cup Heavy cream
- ⅓ cup Whole milk
- 2 large White onions, peeled and sliced
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp Butter
- Salt, nutmeg, and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 jar Apple sauce warmed for serving
Instructions
Prepare Macaroni
- Bring pot of water to a boil. Place a colander in the sink. Add potato cubes to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, add the macaroni to the boiling water. Following package instructions, cook until pasta is just done but not soft and mushy. Immediately pour into the colander and rinse with cold water to stop it from cooking further. While macaroni is cooking, heat the butter in a wide skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and slowly cook until the onions become golden brown and caramelized. Stir from time to time. Once they look done, stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine cream, milk, and cheese. Mix in the macaroni-potatoes and mix well. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Cook and Serve
- Pour bowl of macaroni and cheese into the lightly greased ovenproof casserole dish. Scatter remaining cheese over the top and put in oven until top becomes a deep golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and spread onions over the top.Warm a bowl of applesauce in the microwave and serve together with the casserole.
Notes
- If you want to add peas, add 1 cup of frozen baby peas to the bowl with noodle mixture before it's poured into the casserole.
- Noodle mixture may be done in advance, right before adding cheese and onions stage and refrigerated until ready to cook.
Nutrition
Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 533IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 417mg | Iron: 2mg