Baked mac and cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

  • Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente.
  • and set aside.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce

  1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
  3. Slowly whisk in milk, cooking until slightly thickened.
  4. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, salt, pepper, and optional paprika/mustard powder.
  5. Remove from heat once cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.

3. Combine Pasta and Sauce

  • Stir cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.

4. Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer macaroni and cheese to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
  4. Bake 25–30 minutes until top is golden brown and bubbly.

5. Serve

  • Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Perfect with fried chicken, bacon, or a side salad.

Tips:

  • For extra flavor, mix in cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Use a combination of cheeses (like Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Fontina) for depth.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully—just cover with foil and bake at 325°F until warmed through.

If you want, I can also give you a super creamy stovetop version that doesn’t require baking but is just as decadent.

Do you want me to share that quick stovetop version?

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