This easy homemade baked mac and cheese is the mother of all comfort foods. Classic elbow macaroni pasta is cooked just before al dente, then drained and tossed with a creamy cheese sauce made from scratch using two different kinds of cheese.
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The secret to making this mac and cheese extra cheesy is to add shredded cheese in-between two layers of saucy macaroni.
Just before baking in the oven, this easy homemade baked mac and cheese is topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese that creates a crispy topping.
You can prepare this easy homemade baked mac and cheese as a side dish, or as a main.
HOW DO YOU MAKE BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE FROM SCRATCH?
Follow the simple recipe below to make this deliciousBaked Mac And Cheese from scratch.
- Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Boil the pasta in a pot of water until right before al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil in a large bowl.
- Step 2. Melt 6 tbsp butter in a pot, then add the flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 1 minute while stirring.
- Step 3. Add the milk and cream and cook until bubbles appear, then stir while cooking for 2 minutes. The sauce should become thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Combine the shredded cheeses and add 4 cups to the sauce.
- Step 4. Once the cheeses are melted, pour the sauce over the noodles and toss to combine.
- Step 5. Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, then top with the remaining shredded cheeses.
- Step 6. Add the remaining mac and cheese to the baking dish.
- Step 7. Melt 4 tbsp butter in a pot and combine with the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and paprika, then sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE COMBINATION FOR HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE?
You can use any cheese you like for homemade mac and cheese (such as mozzarella, swiss, American), but the most flavorful is the combination of cheddar with Gruyere cheese.
WHAT TO MAKE WITH MAC AND CHEESE?
The mac and cheese go great as a side dish to chicken or serve it as a main dish with vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, zucchini, or green beans.
CAN YOU FREEZE MAC AND CHEESE?
Homemade mac and cheese freezes very well. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Then, when you are ready to eat it, let it thaw for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
If you are short on time, you can bake it for longer in the oven to reheat at 350 degrees F.
TIPS FOR THE BEST HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE?
- Blocks of cheese that you shred yourself work best in this recipe – do not buy pre-shredded cheeses because they often contain fillers and do not melt as well.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta, or the mac and cheese will turn out soggy.
- Add the shredded cheese in-between two layers of macaroni for an extra cheesy mac and cheese dish.
OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
- BAKED CREAM CHEESE SPAGHETTI
- CHEESY HAMBURGER CASSEROLE
The Best Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese
The secret to making this mac and cheese extra cheesy is to add shredded cheese in-between two layers of saucy macaroni.
5 from 3 votes
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Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
- 4 tbsp butter melted
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Boil the pasta in a pot of water until right before al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil in a large bowl.
Melt 6 tbsp butter in a pot, then add the flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 1 minute while stirring.
Add the milk and cream and cook until bubbles appear, then stir while cooking for 2 minutes. The sauce should become thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Combine the shredded cheeses and add 4 cups to the sauce.
Once the cheeses are melted, pour the sauce over the noodles and toss to combine.
Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, then top with the remaining shredded cheeses.
Add the remaining mac and cheese to the baking dish.
Melt 4 tbsp butter in a pot and combine with the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and paprika, then sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
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