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A close-up shot of a spoonful of creamy, baked Mac and Cheese being lifted from a white dish.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe guides you through making a classic baked macaroni and cheese with a smooth cheese sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 559
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 lb uncooked elbow macaroni (225 g)
  • 3 tablespoons butter (43 g)
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (16 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups milk any kind (360 ml)
  • 3/4 cup half and half (180 ml)
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (250 g)

Equipment

  • 8-inch square baking dish
  • Medium saucepan

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease an 8-inch square (or similar size) baking dish.
  2. Cook the macaroni to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Blend in the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk and half and half, stirring constantly, and cook over medium-low heat for a few minutes until the mixture has thickened like the consistency of gravy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheese, stirring just until melted.
  4. Add the cooked macaroni noodles and toss to coat. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Add remaining pasta and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 559kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 24gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 693mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1023IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 540mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Use high quality aged cheddar cheese for a stronger taste and smoother texture. Pre-shredded cheese melts differently than freshly grated cheese. Grate the cheese first and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare the white sauce. Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool for a few minutes before adding the cheese; the sauce only needs to be warm enough to melt the cheese. Do not over-stir the sauce after the cheese melts. Add the noodles, quickly assemble in the pan, and bake.

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