New York Deli Style Mac Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with a sophisticated twist—New York Deli Style Mac & Cheese. This creamy, decadent recipe takes classic macaroni and cheese to the next level by blending sharp white cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and velvety cream cheese into a rich, flavorful sauce. A nod to New York's iconic delis, it incorporates tender bites of smoky pastrami for a savory surprise and finishes with a golden, crispy rye bread crumb topping for irresistible crunch. Perfect for a hearty family dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish at your next gathering, this mac and cheese is easy to prepare and ready in under an hour. Customize it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 340 g Elbow macaroni
• 6 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 480 ml Whole milk
• 240 ml Heavy cream
• 225 g Sharp white cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 150 g Gruyère cheese (shredded)
• 60 g Cream cheese
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper
• 150 g Pastrami (thinly sliced, chopped)
• 2 slices Rye bread (crumbled or processed into crumbs)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil or melted butter
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, making sure no lumps form. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, gruyère, and cream cheese. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Stir in Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and gently fold to coat. Stir in the chopped pastrami for a New York deli twist.

Step 8

Pour the mac & cheese mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 9

In a small bowl, toss the rye bread crumbs with olive oil or melted butter. Spread the crumbs evenly over the mac & cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1874.9 grams (1874.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5509

Total Fat 354.70g	455%
Saturated Fat 194.70g	974%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.40g
Cholesterol 1044mg	348%
Sodium 5784mg	251%
Total Carbohydrate 349.10g	127%
Dietary Fiber 16.80g	60%
Total Sugars 41.20g
Protein 211.60g	423%

Vitamin D 275IU	1375%
Calcium 3872mg	298%
Iron 19mg	104%
Potassium 1703mg	36%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.7%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 25.7%