Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe Quick and Easy Macaroni smothered in ooey-gooey cheese, what's not to love? This Baked Mac and Cheese recipe can be made any time of the year. But, most definitely it is Holiday worthy.

bowl of mac and cheese

What is Mac and Cheese?

Macaroni and cheese—also called mac and cheese in the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom. It is a dish of cooked macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar. It can also incorporate other ingredients, such as breadcrumbs or meat

What is traditional Mac and cheese?

Traditional macaroni and cheese is a casserole baked in the oven; however, it may be prepared in a sauce pan on top of the stove or using a packaged mix.[3] The cheese is often first incorporated into a Béchamel sauce to create a Mornay sauce, which is then added to the pasta. In the United States, it is considered a comfort food

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Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound Pasta

3 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp paprika

3/4 tsp salt, plus 1 tsp for salting the pasta water

3/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

10 oz gruyere cheese, freshly grated

10 oz sharp cheddar, freshly grated, plus some more for the top layer

1/3 cup parmesan

1 cup bread crumbs


Instructions

Add pasta to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook according to instructions and drain when al dente. The pasta should be ready just before your sauce.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the milk and cream in a pot making sure not to allow it to come to a boil.

Melt 7 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large pot. Add the flour and whisk while it cooks on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the hot milk and cream in while whisking and cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes.

Remove from heat and mix in the cheeses, salt, nutmeg, paprika, and pepper.

Melt one or two tablespoons of butter in a pan and mix with the breadcrumbs. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the breadcrumbs are a light golden color. Season with salt and pepper to taste then mix in about three tablespoons of shredded parmesan.

Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Transfer to a baking dish or ramekins and top with some more cheddar and parmesan and the toasted breadcrumb mixture.

Bake at 375 for about 35 minutes.


Enjoy your Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe Quick and Easy