Macaroni and cheese is one of those recipes that we all love from childhood. There really isn’t much better than a delicious spoonful of creamy macaroni. The best thing about macaroni is how perfectly customizable it can be. Whether you like it baked and crispy, or you like more of a soup-like texture, mac-n-cheese is just one of those dishes that never gets old. Check out these tips and tricks for creating the PERFECT homemade from scratch baked macaroni and cheese dish!
Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni- 1 & 1/2 Cups (Any bite-sized noodle will work but elbow is recommended)
- Butter- 3 Tablespoons
- All-Purpose Flour- 2 Tablespoons
- Salt- 1/2 Teaspoon
- Ground Black Pepper- 1/8 Teaspoon
- Milk- 1 & 1/2 Cups (You can use any kind of milk you prefer)
- Half and Half- 3/4Cup
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese- 2 & 1/2 Cups
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a baking dish and set it aside.
- According to package instructions, cook your macaroni to al dente. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix in your flour, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Slowly pour milk and half and half to the mixture. Stir continuously. Cook on medium heat until the mixture has slightly thickened.
- Remove the mixture from heat. Add in shredded cheese, stirring until cheese is completely melted.
- Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the cheesy mixture. Make sure each and every noodle is covered!
- Pour half of the macaroni into the baking dish from step 1. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Add remaining pasta then sprinkle the rest of your shredded cheese.
- Bake inside your oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on top is completely melted.
Add extra shredded cheese, bread crumbs, or bacon bits on top of the macaroni when you’re ready to serve!
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Cheese Tips & Tricks
- Use freshly grated cheese for a creamier cheese texture.
- Use finely-aged cheese for a stringer cheese taste.
- Allow the cheese to sit at room temperature before you start cooking.
- Don’t stir your sauce once the cheese has melted.
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