Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipe Easy

Special Equipment For This Recipe

• Instant Pot I recently upgraded to this model and I love it!

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What To Serve With Baked Mac And Cheese

Mac and Cheese is worthy of serving as a meal in its own right, served with just a fresh green salad or simple vegetable side. Nothing heavy because Macaroni Cheese is so rich as it is!

As a side dish, it will compliment virtually any non-Asian main dish. From simple Baked Pork Chops to Steak, a Roast Chicken to Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs, the only things I probably would not serve with Mac and Cheese would be very light summery mains such as a Tuna Tartare just a little too much contrast.

And of course, festive gatherings! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter alongside a grand Roast Turkey or your Herb & Garlic Butter Slathered Turkey Breast, the juicy Roast Pork with impossibly Crispy Crackling or your Prime Rib thats so perfectly blushing pink all the way through, it makes you want to weep.

Holidays would not be the same without this Mac and Cheese!! Nagi xx

Making The Cheese Sauce

Transforming the roux into a cheesy sauce is a simple matter of adding milk and cheese. Technically, the mix of roux and milk is called a béchamel and adding cheese makes it mornay sauce use these terms if youd really like to impress your dinner guests, but otherwise calling it a cheese sauce works just fine!

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Crock Pot Mac And Cheese

The Chunky Chef09/05/2019

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Highly requested from my readers, this mac and cheese is made entirely in the slow cooker! No boiling pasta, no making a cream sauce, and no standing over a hot stove. Perfectly creamy and packed with flavor, this dish is great to take to a potluck, have as a holiday side dish, or even a fun family dinner!

Looking for other non-traditional crockpot recipes? Check out my No Boil Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, Crockpot Meatloaf, Crockpot Chicken Lo Mein, and Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole!

CROCKPOT MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE

Here it is the recipe youve been asking for! Youve LOVED, and continue to love, my Baked Mac and Cheese recipe some of you have even won awards in cooking competitions using that recipe. But we all love a great slow cooker recipe, and Ive been busy developing the PERFECT crock pot mac and cheese recipe. One that yields an ultra creamy sauce, doesnt get too thick, and one that tastes every bit as delicious as the OG baked mac and cheese.

Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

There is absolutely nothing I love more than cheese. And when you add pasta to it? Fuggetaboutit.

Mac and cheese is one of those recipes that can take on so many different forms. I love it anyway I can get it but baked mac and cheese is my very favorite and Ill tell you why The topping. I use breadcrumbs for my topping occasionally, but, a Panko topped mac and cheese is just that much better.

I mix in Parmesan, butter, and paprika with the Panko so it crisps up beautifully and gets a nice golden brown color when this amazing homemade mac and cheese is baked.

Im going to be honest here. When I make mac and cheese, its the mac to cheese ratio that I am most concerned about. I love it when the mac and cheese is oeey gooey and the cheese sauce is just so creamy. GIMME.

With all this cheese going on in this macaroni and cheese recipe, I need a little help from my KitchenAid Deluxe Stand Mixer and its handy dandy Fresh Prep Slice/Shredder attachment. I picked up this beauty at Walmart this past week and I am in LOOOOOVE. I was torn between the options: SILVER | COBALT | PISTACHIO. But, when I pictured them in my kitchen, I knew I had to go with the cobalt its just stunning!

I use my stand mixer about 954 times each week. Being a food blogger and mom means Im in my kitchen a lot baking up goodies and whipping up amazing dinners like this homemade baked mac and cheese. I am always, always looking for help in the kitchen and the Kitchen Aid Deluxe Stand Mixer is the answer.

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How Long To Bake Mac And Cheese

There is only one rule that you need to remember when baking mac and cheese: dont bake it too long otherwise youll bake away the sauce leaving you with a dry mixture.

Baking it at around 20 minutes at 375 degrees F guarantees you that same stretchy cheesy baked mac and cheese with all the heart-melting sauce. Or you can also bake it at 30 minutes at 350 F

Although weve tried a couple of Mac and Cheese recipes, nothing compares to this one which has a smooth silky sauce that permeates every inch of elbow macaroni there is.

Youd fall head over heels with the brimming Southern flavors of what this baked mac and cheese has to offer. Its got a note of heat and smokiness. Youd need a bigger a spoon, for sure!

This would be delightful at any time. Oh, especially during these cold winter months. So dont wait for special occasions to whip up a pan of this.

Heck, you could even make this on the daily. You can also explore different southern comfort food ideas to prepare every day! Go ahead, take a bite, nobodys looking.

Want more recipes like this? Try my Ground Beef Casserole here, my mac and cheese the Caribbean way Trinidad Macaroni Pie and my heartier and meatier Chili Mac and Cheese.

Happy eating!

• Pulled Pork Recipe

How To Make Crock Pot Mac And Cheese

• Add pasta and liquids to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in seasonings and stir.
• Cover and cook 1 hour. Stir. Cover and cook another 10 minutes.
• Stir in cream cheese and grated cheese. Cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Stir and serve.

How easy is that?! No fancy cream sauce to make just hands-off cook time so you can go relax!

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What Noodles Are Best For Macaroni

A classic macaroni noodle will always be a great choice for baked macaroni. I also like to use a large elbow because they hold a bit more cheese sauce.

For this recipe I used cavatapi noodles because the curve is great for a baked mac and cheese. One of my other favorite noodles for this dish is small shells.

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni And Cheese

CategoryAutumnBack to SchoolBaked or CasseroleMac and CheeseMeatlessSide DishWinter

This classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese dish comes together quickly and is sure to be a family favorite thanks to its cheesy flavor.

Total Time

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cook pasta for 3 minutes and drain well.

In medium saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, mustard, salt, and pepper.

Gradually add milk and cook until mixture is smooth and bubbly, stirring constantly.

Cook over medium heat until mixture boils, stirring constantly.

Turn heat to low and simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Gradually mix in cheese and stir until cheese is melted.

Add pasta mix lightly. Pour into 2-quart casserole.

Top with croutons. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165-175 degrees.

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More Easy Dinner Recipes#

If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!You can check out all of my easy dinner recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.

Italian Sausage and Tortellini SkilletGarlic Parmesan Chicken BakeCheesy Taco SkilletBaked Meatballs ParmesanCheesy Bacon Tater Tot Casserole

Baked Mac And Cheese With Tomatoes

The best grilled cheese youve ever had runs head-long into your tomato soup and BOOM. You get baked mac and cheese with tomatoes. One of the best comfort foods gets yet another transformation into this southern classic.

A couple of years ago, a reader asked me if I had a recipe for macaroni and cheese with tomatoes. I thought she meant macaroni and tomatoes which I know well. But she was insistent that nothere was an actual real version of macaroni and cheese that had tomatoes in it and that it was pretty doggone amazing.

I had my doubts.

Until I made it for myself. And now I realize I might be a borderline hard-headed idiot for not making it sooner.

The secret is using stewed tomatoes. Write that down. STEWED. Not diced, not chili-ready, not with basil and oregano. Stewed tomatoes are so good on their owntheyve been cooked down with celery, onion and seasonings and have a slow-cooked flavor straight out of the can.

They might be my new food love.

Make your baked mac and cheese with tomatoes in a large skillet and add your tomatoes as the sauce thickens and bake it all up together. For something fresh, you could add some cooked chicken to the party for a one-dish dinner or some of your favorite vegetables like peas or broccoli.

And just try not to fall in love with those tomatoes. And the macaroni. And the cheese. And the crunchy bread crumbsits just one more way to love something thats already amazing.

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Should You Give Your Mac And Cheese A Topping

You can certainly top your mac and cheese with some Ritz crackers , or you can leave it ungarnished. But if you’re going to top that mac and cheese, it’s best to leave the dish without a topping in the oven to allow a crispy crust of cheese to form first, and then add the topping a few minutes before it’s done baking.

But to be honest, for this baked mac and cheese, we like it without a topping. The creamy interior is oh-so-satisfying with some crunchy corners and crisp bits.

Cheese Sauce For Mac And Cheese

• To make the homemade mac and cheese sauce, you will need to melt the butter in a non-stick pan on low heat.
• Add in the flour and whisk or mix with a wooden spoon and continue stirring until the mixture bubbles up.
• Add in the milk, pasta water, spices, salt and continue whisking until the sauce is nice and smooth.
• Then add in the shredded cheese, both white and sharp cheddar
• Continue to whisk the mixture together until some of the cheese melts a bit and incorporates with the sauce. The cheese does not have to melt all the way because it will melt in the oven.

• Next, drain the pasta from the water and add it to the skillet over the cheese. Toss the pasta around with the sauce to coat well.
• Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish . Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese to the top.
• To prepare the panko crust, melt 1 tbsp. of butter in a non-stick skillet. Add in the panko crumbs, paprika and toast to give the crumbs a very light golden color. Turn of the heat and add in the grated parmesan cheese. Mix together and then top the cheddar cheese with the panko crumb mixture.
• Bake in a pre-heated 400 F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly.

• Remove from the oven and allow the dish to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley and serve.

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Tips For The Best Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Grate your own cheese. Yes, it’s worth the extra time to take a block of cheese and grate your own. Shredded cheese is handy, but it’s often coated with a very fine powder to keep the shreds from sticking together in the bag. That powder coating also happens to keep the cheese from melting as well as it could. But freshly-grated cheese will melt like a dream.

Cook the pasta to al dente. Since the mac and cheese has to bake for a bit longer in the oven, you don’t want to risk the pasta turning to mush. Cook the pasta to al dente so that it finishes cooking to the perfect texture while the mac and cheese bakes.

Warm the milk. Don’t skip the step of warming milk before you add it to the flour and butter mixture. Cold milk with make the flour mixture seize and turn clumpy. It will be difficult to get it smooth again before the next step.

Can I Make This Macaroni And Cheese Ahead And Bake It When Im Ready

Yes you sure can. Just let it cool down, put some plastic wrap right against the surface of the mac and cheese and stick it in the fridge.

If you have a few minutes to bring it out and let it warm slightly before you bake it, do that. But if you cant, just bake it till the center is hot and the edges are bubbling.

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Tips For The Best Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

• Use block cheese and shred, do not buy the pre-shredded cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is great for so many things but not macaroni and cheese. Its coated and wont melt properly. You need to shred it yourself for the best result.
• Cook your pasta to slightly less than al dente, about one minute shy is perfect. The reason is that this is baked mac and cheese so the pasta will continue to cook in the homemade cheese sauce in the oven. You dont want soggy macaroni.
• I used elbow pasta but really, any tubular past will work.
• This mac and cheese recipe starts with a roux. The roux is super important to getting the creamiest cheese sauce of your life. Here is what you need to look for:
• The roux is whisked together until bubbly and golden.
• Whisk in cold milk not warm to prevent the flour from clumping.
• Cook the roux until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes before adding the cheese.

Macaroni And Cheese Ingredients

• Elbow Pasta Feel free to swap it with any other pasta you like.
• Shredded Cheese use freshly grated yellow and white cheddar cheese, but feel free to use any cheese you like.
• Seasoning: a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground black pepper and salt.
• PastaWater or Chicken Broth I used pasta water but you can use low sodium chicken broth to add more flavor to the dish.
• Milk- use whole milk to make the sauce extra rich.
• Parmesan cheese: freshly grated cheese gives the topping a nutty flavor.
• Butter salted or unsalted is fine.
• Flour-to thicken up the sauce
• Panko Breadcrumbs-I prefer panko because it has a very nice crisp effect. Substitute with gluten free breadcrumbs for a gluten free recipe.

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Baked Macaroni And Cheese The Easy Way#

When you end up at the church potluck for lunch or in line at your nephews graduation, there is probably a tray of baked mac and cheese. It is a classic potluck or holiday dish because it is so simple and travels well. You can also prep it and toss it in the oven wherever you are to make sure it is creamy and fresh.Some folks call this southern baked macaroni and cheese or grandmas mac and cheese, or homestyle macaroni and cheese but whatever you call it, it is delicious and timeless. This particular recipe was made by my mother who learned it from her dad. It truly is a timeless classic that is requested at every family gathering. So, Im here to share it with you!

How To Avoid Grainy Cheese Sauce:

• The type of cheddar makes a difference. High quality aged cheddar cheese will give you a stronger taste and smoother texture. More mild and inexpensive cheddar cheeses will have less flavor and almost a grittier taste.
• Use fresh grated cheese. Pre-shredded store-bought cheese will not melt the same as freshly grated cheese, and grating the cheese helps it melt smoothly and evenly in the sauce.
• Bring the cheese to room temperature. I like to grate the cheese very first, before moving forward with the recipe. That allows it to sit at room temperature while I prepare the white sauce.
• Use low heat. In order for the cheese to melt properly and smoothly we want it to have gradual changes in temperature . When its time to add the cheese to the white sauce, remove the sauce from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. It only needs to be warm enough to melt the cheese.
• Dont over-stirthe sauce once the cheese has melted. Add the noodles and quickly assemble in pan and put into the oven.

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Other Side Dishes You Will Enjoy

• Grate both the cheddar and sharp cheddar cheeses and combine together in a bowl.

Cheese Division Divide into three groups

• One group will make up the sauce 3 cups
• One group will be added in between layers of the macaroni and cheese 1 1/2 cups
• Last group will top the dish 1 1/2 cups
• Set groups of cheese aside.

Pasta Cook And Prep

• Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot.
• Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 1 minute less than the package directs to cook pasta.
• While the pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 3-quart baking dish and set it aside.
• Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Cheese Sauce

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Slowly add the flour in and whisk to combine. Continue to whisk and cook for about a minute.
• Combine the milk and half and half into a large measuring cup.
• Slowly pour in 2 cups of the half and half, whisking constantly. Whisk until smooth.
• Slowly pour in the remaining half and half and the whole milk, whisking constantly, until smooth.
• Whisking very often, continue to cook until the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add salt and pepper.
• Add the cheese portion that makes up 3 cups. First, add half of it and mix to combine.
• Once melted, add the additional 1 1/2 cups and continue to stir until melted and smooth.

Putting It Together