I found the recipe for Poole's Diner'sfamous mac and cheese and I knew I had to try making it for the holidays.

On Thanksgiving, I got to work and discovered it isn't nearly as difficult as I had expected.

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Here's the recipe chef Ashley Christensen shared with Food Republic last year:

Poole’s Diner Mac And Cheese

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Recipe serves four

Ingredients

  • 3 cups heavy cream
    • 1/2 pound macaroni, cooked al dente and drained
      • 1 cup Jarlsberg, shredded and divided
        • 1 cup Grana Padano, shredded and divided (I couldn't find this cheese, but got a similar one at Whole Foods)
          • 3 cups white cheddar, shredded and divided
            • sea salt, to taste

              Directions

              • I did all of my cheese shredding and grating the night before to save time.
                • Set a rack in the oven about 4 inches from the broiler, and preheat broiler.
                  • In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, reduce cream by a fourth.
                    • Lower heat to medium.
                      • Stir in the macaroni and 3/4 cup each of the Jarlsberg, Grana Padano and white cheddar.
                        • Stir with a wooden spoon while tossing the contents of the pan in a saute motion.
                          • Transfer mixture to a baking dish
                            • If you want to add extra ingredients (i.e. roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions), they should be layered between the pasta and the cheese topping that follows.
                              • Sprinkle the remaining Jarlsberg, Grana Padano and white cheddar over the top, distributing them evenly.
                                • Place the dish under the broiler. Watch it carefully, as you will need to rotate the dish to create an even crust. This will take from 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the strength of your broiler.
                                  • Remove gratin from the oven and season with fresh cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.