Baked Macaroni and Cheese
When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the cheesy goodness of baked macaroni and cheese. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or hosting a potluck party, this classic dish is always a crowd-pleaser.
Servings: 9 Servings
Calories: 436kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter
- 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup milk
- 4 ounces American cheese or Velveeta
- 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- ½-3/4 teaspoon salt
- ½-3/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni minutes less than package calls for al dente pasta. Drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Stir in flour, and cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in half-and-half and milk. Once bubbles appear at the edge of the pan and the mixture starts to simmer, set aside ½ cup of the cheddar cheese, and stir the remaining cheeses into the mixture.
- Once the cheese has melted and the mixture begins to thicken, season with salt and white pepper to taste. Fold in the drained pasta.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9”x9” pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and panko bread crumbs on top.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is bubbling at the edge and is golden brown on top.
Video
Notes
Tips and Substitutions
- Use freshly grated cheeses! Pre-shredded cheeses don't melt as effectively.
- Stir your milk mixture often. Allowing it to sit without stirring can cause it to scorch and/or curdle.
- Get creative with your blend of cheeses! Sharp or medium yellow or white cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Gruyere, Fontina, American, Velveeta, Swiss and/or Colby Jack all work great!
- Taste your sauce before blending with the drained elbow macaroni. Add additional seasonings or cheese if desired.
- Crushed butter crackers, bread crumbs or crushed croutons can be used in place of panko bread crumbs.
Nutrition
Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 812IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 510mg | Iron: 1mg
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