Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 250g / 8 oz macaroni
elbow pasta
- 1 tbspunsalted butter
- ⅝ cpanko breadcrumbs
Note 1
- 2 tbspunsalted butter
- ¼ tspsalt
- 4 tbspunsalted butter
- ⅓ cflour
, plain / all purpose
- 3 cmilk)
, warmed (low or full fat
- 2 ccheese
gruyere best), (followed by cheddar and Colby
- 1 cmozzarella cheese)
, or more other cheese of choice (Note 2
- ¾ tspsalt
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- ½ tsponion powder
- ½ tspmustard powder
Directions
Pasta:
- 1
Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add macaroni and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute.
- 2
Toss in butter: Drain, return pasta to pot, add butter and toss until melted. Set aside to cool while making the Sauce (Optional - Note 3).
Topping:
- 1
Mix together Topping. Set aside.
Sauce (video is helpful):
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types).
- 2
Make roux: In a large saucepan or in an ovenproof skillet (I use my 26cm/9" Lodge cast iron skillet), melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- 3
Add milk: Add about 1 cup of the milk and mix to dissolve the paste into the milk. Then add remaining milk and mix until lump free (use whisk if required).
- 4
Add Seasonings: Mix in salt and Seasonings if using.
- 5
Thicken sauce: Cook, stirring/whisking regularly, for 5 - 8 minutes until thickened to a cream consistency. When the Sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon, you should be able to draw a path with your finger.
- 6
Add cheese: Remove from stove, add cheese and stir - cheese doesn't need to melt.
- 7
Check salt: Adjust salt to taste (if you use recommended cheeses, you won't need more).
Assembling:
- 1
Assemble: Pour Sauce into pot with Macaroni. Stir quickly, then pour back into the skillet (I did this) or a baking dish (Note 4). Sprinkle with breadcrumb topping.
- 2
Bake for 25 minutes or until top is light golden. Don't bake too long otherwise you'll bake away the Sauce!
- 3
Serve: Serve immediately! I sprinkled mine with a bit of fresh parsley. See notes for best make-ahead method.
Baked Mac and Cheese
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 544 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving the absolute best baked mac and cheese you've ever tasted? Look no further. This recipe delivers a truly unforgettable experience, combining an ultra-creamy sauce with a delightful crunchy topping, perfect for any gathering or a comforting family meal.
Why This Baked Mac and Cheese Is a Game-Changer
What truly sets this recipe apart is its ingenious approach to preventing common mac and cheese woes. By taking the extra step to toss the cooked macaroni in butter, you actively stop it from bloating and becoming stodgy, ensuring every bite is perfectly textured. This, combined with an extra saucy base straight from the oven, guarantees your mac and cheese remains incredibly moist and delicious, even when serving a crowd. Plus, the crucial tip of grating your own cheese is key—it creates a stunningly white, silky-smooth cheese sauce without the grainy texture from anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded varieties.
What to Expect from Your Homemade Mac and Cheese
Prepare for a dish that will redefine your expectations of macaroni and cheese. You'll be greeted with a stunningly white, velvety cheese sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of macaroni, never clumping or drying out. The macaroni itself will be perfectly tender, yet still have a slight al dente quality, thanks to the butter treatment. Each forkful is elevated by a gloriously crunchy, buttery topping that provides a wonderful textural contrast to the rich, creamy interior. This dish is designed to hold up beautifully, staying incredibly moist and flavorful, making it an ideal choice for any occasion where you want to impress.
Customization & Variations
While Gruyere is recommended for its superior flavor, you can easily adapt this recipe to your preferences. Feel free to use cheddar or Colby cheeses, which are also excellent choices and widely available. You can also swap some of the mozzarella for more of your favorite cheeses to customize the flavor profile. The melted butter and panko breadcrumb topping is essential for that perfect crunch, but remember the quality of your cheese directly impacts the creaminess of your sauce.
Serving & Context
This ultimate baked mac and cheese is destined to be the star side dish at any potluck, holiday spread, or Sunday dinner. It’s comforting, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser, pairing wonderfully with roasted meats or a simple green salad.