Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a classic comfort food featuring creamy cheese sauce and tender macaroni, perfect for any gathering or cozy night in.
Ingredients
Cheese Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 cups whole milk
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Macaroni
- 1 pound cooked elbow macaroni Use slightly undercooked.
Toppings
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese For topping.
- Chopped flat leaf parsley For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), placing the rack in the middle.
- In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, add all-purpose flour, stirring for about 3 minutes until thickened.
- Slowly whisk in whole milk, adding a little at a time for a thicker sauce.
- Stir in grated cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese until melted.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, mustard powder, and nutmeg to the sauce. Mix well.
- Stir in cooked elbow macaroni until fully coated with the cheese sauce.
- Transfer the macaroni mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Serving
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped flat leaf parsley for garnish.
Notes
For a crunchy texture, consider adding breadcrumbs on top before baking. You can prepare the macaroni and cheese up to the point of baking, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day. Once cooled, it can be frozen for up to 2 months.