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Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- ¾ lbshort pasta
such as cavatappi or cavatelli
- 2 tbspbutter
- ¼ cflour
- 4 cwhole milk
- 8 ozshredded cheddar-jack cheese
about 2 cups
- 1 tbspdijon mustard
- 1 ¼ tsp.kosher salt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- ¼ tsp.cayenne
- 5slices muenster cheese
about 4 ounces
Directions
- 1
Cook and drain the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, and hold the pasta in the strainer while you make the cheese sauce.
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- 2
Melt butter: Wipe out the pot and melt the butter over medium heat.
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- 3
Add flour and milk to create béchamel base: Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce comes to a simmer and then slightly thickens, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
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- 4
Stir in cheese, seasonings, and pasta: Add the Cheddar-Jack, mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir to melt the cheese. Stir in the pasta.
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- 5
Transfer to buttered baking dish: Transfer to a buttered 9-by-13-inch (3-quart) baking dish and cover with the Muenster. Cool for 30 minutes. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake, up to 4 days.
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- 6
Bake the mac and cheese: Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake at 400° F until golden and warmed through, 25 to 35 minutes.
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Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 304 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Tired of soggy, sad mac and cheese when you're trying to prep ahead? This Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese recipe is your new secret weapon, ensuring a perfectly creamy, comforting dish that's ready to bake when you are, making it the ultimate potluck hero or stress-free weeknight dinner.
Why This Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese Works
The genius of this recipe lies in its thoughtful construction, designed to keep the sauce lush and the pasta tender, even after a few days in the fridge. By creating a rich, velvety cheese sauce with a blend of sharp cheddar-jack and melty muenster, you get a sauce that truly holds up. The subtle tang of Dijon mustard and a whisper of cayenne pepper cut through the richness, balancing the flavors beautifully without overpowering the classic comfort.
What to Expect
Prepare yourself for a truly satisfying mac and cheese experience. You'll find a luxuriously smooth, golden sauce coating every piece of short pasta. The combination of cheeses delivers a delightful creaminess with just enough sharpness to keep things interesting. Each bite is savory and deeply comforting, promising that homemade taste everyone craves.
This recipe offers a fantastic balance of convenience and flavor, with a total time of about an hour. It yields 6 generous servings, each a hearty 550 calories, making it a substantial and satisfying meal that effortlessly feeds a crowd or provides delicious leftovers for days.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe shines as written, feel free to adapt it to your pantry or preferences. You can experiment with other short pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or shells if cavatappi or cavatelli aren't available. For an extra layer of flavor, consider swapping out some of the cheddar-jack for smoked gouda or gruyere. If you're not a fan of spice, simply reduce or omit the cayenne, or for more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Serving & Context
This Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese is destined for gatherings. It's the ideal dish to bring to a potluck, family dinner, or holiday spread, as its quality improves with a little rest. Serve it alongside roasted vegetables, a simple green salad, or your favorite protein for a complete and utterly delicious meal.