Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2023

This creamy and cheesy baked macaroni and cheese is the perfect comfort food. The creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make it a dish that will have everyone coming back for more.

A creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish of baked macaroni and cheese

I first had this dish at a family gathering when I was a child. I remember being amazed by the creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping. I have been making this dish ever since and it always brings back fond memories. It's the perfect dish for a family gathering, potluck, or just a cozy night in.

Recipe

Serves

8

Prep Time

15 Mins

Cook Time

45 Mins

Difficulty

3 / 5

Ingredients

  • 450g (16oz) elbow macaroni (or other short pasta)
  • 30g (1oz) butter
  • 30g (1oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 litre (4 cups) milk
  • 500g (2 cups) grated cheddar cheese
  • 50g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 50g (1/4 cup) bread crumbs

Cooking Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180?C (350?F). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper and stir until smooth. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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