Description
Creamy, cheesy old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese brings comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Rich cheddar and smooth pasta bake together into a golden, crispy-topped dish your family will devour with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 oz macaroni noodles
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups milk
Supporting Ingredients:
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tbsp butter to prevent sticking.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and select a large baking dish for assembling.
- Melt 8 tbsp butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until completely liquefied and bubbling slightly.
- Whisk ½ cup flour into melted butter, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until mixture turns golden and smells nutty.
- Gradually pour 4 cups milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Reduce heat to low and blend in 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp hot sauce.
- Stir 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce until completely melted and smooth.
- Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every noodle gets coated.
- Transfer mixture to your prepared baking dish and sprinkle 1 cup additional cheese across the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are bubbly and top looks golden.
- Switch oven to broil and cook for 2-3 minutes to create a crispy, browned cheese crust.
Notes
- Shred the cheese fresh for the best melting and flavor, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
- Let the roux cook long enough to remove the raw flour taste, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- For a crispy top, use a broiler-safe dish and watch closely during the final broiling stage to prevent burning.
- Experiment with cheese blends like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or monterey jack to customize the flavor profile and create a more complex cheese sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 37-43 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 638 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg