Baked White Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Can I Freeze Baked White Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese! – No Boil & 1 Dish!

Yes! Baked mac and cheese is extremely freezer friendly. Its one of the recipes I always made in preparation for a new baby . You can freeze it a couple of ways.

If you are making this recipe as a freezer meal , freeze it without baking. Follow the recipe to the point of baking it but instead, wrap it in two layers of foil, label, date, and freeze up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake it, let it defrost overnight in the fridge and bake it as directed the next day.

If you want to freeze leftovers after baking, you can freeze the remainder of the casserole all together or divided up into individual servings. Make sure the mac and cheese is fully cooled and then freeze in air-tight containers up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

You may also want to read my post on how to freeze casseroles for more detailed instructions.

How To Make The Best White Cheddar Macaroni And Cheese:

Start by making a roux by melting the butter and then stirring in the flour until it forms a paste. I like to use a whisk to make sure it is all combined. Slowly add in the whole milk and heavy cream and whisk until it is silky smooth. Let it cook for 8-10 minutes.

Use sharp white cheddar cheese and white American cheese . Add it in small increments, stirring well after each addition to allow it to melt. You don’t want to add all of the cheese at once as it may clump. I suggest chopping the cheese into small pieces.

Cook the pasta. Use your favorite type of pasta from elbow macaroni to orecchiette to campanelle. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Make sure to generously salt the water!

Let the sauce thicken and add seasonings. Toss with drained pasta and serve.

Common Questions About Making Mac And Cheese

How do you make homemade mac and cheese?

All you have to do is boil pasta, melt the ingredients for the sauce together, combine the pasta and sauce together, and serve. Super easy!

What can you add to mac and cheese to make it better?

Bacon crumbles
Parmesan
Black pepper
Steamed veggies

How do you make baked mac and cheese?

For a classic baked mac and cheese, you are going to want a recipe with a bechamel sauce base such as my baked brie mac and cheese. It will firm up nicely in the oven since it is a thinner sauce than this mac and cheese.

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White Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Imagine smooth and bubbly baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese with herbed bread crumb topping. Homemade mac and cheese is always the best, and this one is ultra cheesy and flavorful!

We love mac and cheese over here! I love experimenting variations of mac and cheese with different types of cheeses and toppings, and this White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is by far my favorite!

This one is baked until bubbly and nicely melted, and topped with and herbed bread crumb topping. To make it even better, I use Gruyere cheese in addition to the White Cheddar. Add so much flavorful and creaminess. Its pretty amazing!

And in case you missed it, I also have an easy stovetop mac and cheese recipe, but I have to admit, this white cheddar mac and cheese has a special place in my heart. So let me show you how to make it!

The Creamiest White Mac And Cheese

Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

The most creamiest, delicious, and extra flavorful all-white mac and cheese with three different kinds of white cheese! This recipe is perfect as a weeknight staple or on your holiday table. Includes both a stovetop and baked option!

Oooooeeeeee, my goodness, yall.

Now tell me, who doesnt love them some mac and cheese!?! And if you raised your hand just exit now, ha!

Its just one of those ultimate, super cozy, extra indulgent, holiday table staples, make-you-wanna dance, types of food huh. I mean, some good mac and cheese is right up there on my top favorite foods of all time.

Along with this white mac and cheese recipe, Ive also previously developed a southern style baked mac and cheese, and this smoked gouda mac and cheese. See, ya girl really does love her some mac and cheese.

More importantly, its time to talk about this specific recipe that Im simply over the moon to share with you. Yeahhhhhh.

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My Favorite Cheeses For Macaroni And Cheese

Depending on your mood, the cheese you use in macaroni and cheese can vary. Cheddar, fontina, gruyere, parmesan, and pecorino are all excellent options, but the combination of cheeses I go back to over and over again is a hearty amount of extra sharp white cheddar and a smaller, but potent amount of pecorino-romano cheese. The cheddar turns creamy and smooth and the pecorino adds a pop of salty cheese flavor to the sauce.

Okay, now this is where I get on my soapbox for a second. No matter which cheese you use for this, if you can, grate the cheese yourself. A previously shredded bagged cheese just doesnt melt the same way as hand grated cheese. I wish that wasnt true, but for now, to make the best mac and cheese, its best to shred the cheese yourself.

White Cheddar Mac And Cheese Faq

How should I store this mac and cheese?Store any leftovers covered in the fridge. Its generally not as rich and creamy when reheated

Can I freeze mac and cheese?You could BUT it will definitely not be as good and I wouldnt recommend it.

How long will mac and cheese last?The macaroni and cheese will last a few days in the refrigerator.

Substitutions?Instead of white cheddar, you could use your favorite good melting cheese.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?Low-fat cheeses generally do not melt as well, but you could try it if theres a low-fat cheese you like and know melts well.

What else can I add to this recipe?Add your favorite precooked meats, veggies, herbs and spices, and sauces and condiments.

What should I serve this mac and cheese with?What goes with mac and cheese? For a full meal, you could serve this with a light salad or green vegetable .

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?Here are some suggestions, but I cant guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if youre following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan This would be a tough one to make vegan.

Vegetarian Its vegetarian.

Low-Carb You can try a lower-carb pasta or zoodles . Theres not a lot of flour in this recipe, but you could try another thickener instead of the butter/flour.

Gluten-Free Use a gluten-free pasta or zoodles .

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Best Cheese For Mac And Cheese

A combination of Gruyere and mozzarella cheese. Gruyerefor the most superior flavour with the best melting qualities for creamy sauces such as this theres no contention in my view. And mozzarella for stretch nothing does the cheese pull like a good mozzarella!

But honestly, any cheese that melts well works is excellent with Mac and Cheese, such as cheddar, tasty, Colby, Swiss, Pepper Jack, Emmental.

White Cheddar Mac And Cheese Recipe

Cheesy White Chedder Mac

Disclaimer:affiliate links Jump to Recipe

One bite of this White Cheddar Mac and Cheese recipe and you will never reach for the boxed stuff again. This elevated mac and cheese is an amazing dinner, either as a side dish or main course. Pair this with roasted vegetables or a side salad and enjoy this restaurant-style meal.

You will also want to check out our Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe Delicious!

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What It Tastes Like

Its really a jacked up version of the classic Mac and Cheese. No normal Mac and Cheese sauce will have the same flavour that this one has which is boosted with shrimp juices AND the golden bits left in the pan after we sear them.

But what I really enjoy about this Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese are the contrasting textures. I use 500g / 1 lb of peeled medium / small shrimp in this, so theres a generous amount dispersed all throughout the dish. So just imagine, with every bite, you get a little savoury crunch from the Parmesan breadcrumb topping, silky cheese sauce with boosted shrimp umami, perfectly cooked macaroni AND the soft, succulent shrimp.

Every bite is just outrageously good.

Full stop, end of story, signing out Nagi x

Garlic Shrimp Mac And Cheese

Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese is all your food dreams bundled together in one bubbling dish! A silky, cheesy macaroni sauce with plump, juicy garlic shrimp AND a crunchy, golden parmesan topping.

And if that wasnt enough, this just happens to be made in ONE POT and is on the table in just over 20 minutes. Its outrageous!

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Mac And Cheese Tip #: Its All About The Cheese

But you already knew that, right? Not all macaroni and cheese recipes are created equal. Our recipe is all about that cheesy triple threat combo! Our mac and cheese recipe gets a major flavor boost from Tillamook Farmstyle Thick Cut Triple Cheddar Shredded Cheese! A mouthwatering mixture of medium white cheddar cheese, sharp cheddar cheese and medium cheddar cheese, Tillamook Triple Cheddar Cheese makes ours the very best mac and cheese recipe out there!

Other Pasta Recipes You May Enjoy

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Easy dinner recipe made in a pressure cooker in no time.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole Delicious baked pasta with chicken and ham.
Pizza Pasta Spaghetti baked in a pan and cut into slices. Fun!
Classic Lasagna Perfect for dinner parties, this is a traditional classic.

Hope you enjoy this homemade Panera Copycat White Cheddar Mac and Cheese recipe. Tell me in the comments what kind of toppings you put on it!

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How To Make Baked Mac And Cheese

Alright, that roux I mentioned? Its simple, just look at steps 1-5 below. Start by melting your butter and then add flour. Use a whisk to stir in the flour until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.

When you add your milk the mixture may separate a bit. This is fine, everything will come back together once the milk warms up a bit. Add your spices and bring everything to a bubble and cook until the mixture is thickened.

Its very important that your mixture thickens before you continue. The mixture should be creamy and should coat the back of a spoon . If its not thickened, your baked mac and cheese will be too liquidy and runny. We want creamy decadence, not a runny mess.

Finally add your cheese and stir until melted . Then in go your prepared macaroni noodles. Finally top everything off with some toasted panko and bake!

Reader Reviews For Baked White Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Made this for dinner tonight. It was AMAZING! I made it without onions because it was for company and I didnt know if they like onions. But it was delicious and I wouldnt change a thing!

This macaroni recipe is delicious! I used baby kale, chard and collards and didnt add any croutons but it turned out delicious!

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Its All Made In One Pot

I make Mac and Cheese two ways:

The traditional way sauce and pasta cooked in separate vessels then combined, like in this Baked Mac and Cheese and
In one pot see this Stovetop Mac and Cheese. This is for those times when I can live without a crunchy topping or when time is of the essence

I prefer making this the one-pot way because this way, the broth gets terrific extra flavour by using the fond left in the pot after searing the shrimp / prawns.

Though the macaroni is cooked in the sauce , the shrimp needs to be cooked separately otherwise they would overcook if left in the pot with the pasta.

Stir them back in at the end, top with a crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb topping, then just a few minutes under a cranked up grill/broiler is all you need for a golden crunchy topping!

Things You Should Know About Kale

How to Cook the best Creamiest White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

1. Nutritional Benefits of Kale

Kale is a nutritional powerhouseand a great way to add extra dark, leafy greens to your diet.

As a member of the Brassica family.

It finds itself in good company with other nutritious cruciferous vegetables such as

cabbage
Brussels sprouts

Kale is rich in iron, Vitamin A, C and K, and Calcium.

Does that make this Baked White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon a healthy recipe?

Kidding

At least it is healthier than if there wasnt any kale in it.

2. Kale Flavor Pairings

Kale Pairs well with cheese, especially Parmesan and cheddar.

It also pairs well with garlic, pasta, onions, pancetta , chicken, olive oil, and chicken stock.

So basically, kale is a flavor match for a lot of the ingredients in this recipe for like this Baked White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon!

parmesan

Im sure there are other varieties, but these are what I have found available.

I typically only see curly at a standard grocery store.

Sometimes I will see the dinosaur variety in my regular grocery store.

I have found that if I am looking for something other than curly it is best to rely on health food stores such as Whole Foods.

I use curly or dinosaur kale in this recipe for Baked White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon.

I havent tried the recipe with any other varieties.

4. Kale Selection Tips

Select Kale during autumn through spring months for peak nutrition and quality.

It may be stored in the refrigerator for 3 5 days.

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Easy Baked White Macaroni And Cheese

Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! Our recipe for Baked White Macaroni and Cheese is full of delicious flavor and a mix of different cheeses that you will love. You will never go back to boxed mac and cheese after making your very own homemade mac and cheese.

Im definitely a macaroni and cheese snob.

I wont touch boxed mac and cheese with a ten-foot pole, and even if we buy it from a restaurant, its hit or miss.

Its not that I want it to be super fancy I am just so particular about the quality and taste.

Which means you know this recipe has to be good if Im sharing it here. It definitely passes the test and is one Ill gladly make for my family.

Creamy Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

This is the absolute best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese! This creamy and cheesy mac and cheese is made with 3 cheeses and topped with a crispy and tasty topping. This baked mac and cheese recipe is definitely the perfect comfort food dinner or holiday side dish.

If you are looking for other comfort food favorites check out my Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes, creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and my ultimate Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder.

There are thousands of macaroni and cheese recipes, from quick and easy mac and cheese, fancy mac and cheese, adult mac and cheese to glow-in-the-dark boxed mac and cheese. I think it is safe to say we all love the pure comfort food quality of cheesy pasta.

Mac n cheese can be served as a side dish, main course , and its a must have side dish for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

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What Do I Need To Make Baked Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese is simple to make and doesnt require any fancy ingredients. Heres what you need:

Macaroni Noodles though lets be real you can use 8 oz of pretty much any shape of pasta!
CHEESE All caps for obvious reasons. Your cheese selection can make or break your baked mac and cheese. Shredding your own is preferred, more on that a bit further down the post.
Whole Milk
Butter
Flour for making your roux. Dont worry, its so easy! I hate to even mention that this baked mac and cheese starts with a roux because so many people are intimidated . All were doing is whisking together melted butter and flour, honestly.
Spices salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion power, and ground mustard. A little goes a long way for flavor.

What To Serve With Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese can either be a delicious side dish or a main dish. If you are using it as a side dish think of grilled meats to go with it.

Pulled Pork, Grilled Chicken, Steak, hamburgers and hotdogs are all great main dishes to serve. Mac and Cheese is a great side dish for a pot luck or BBQ so you really cant go wrong serving it in any of those settings.

This Mac and Cheese might seem a little more fancy so it can also stand alone as the star of the meal. Serve it with a salad, rolls and fruit and you have a complete meal.

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The Key Ingredients In This Recipe:

Béchamel sauce: considered one of the classic French mother sauces of classical cuisine. A béchamel is basically a white sauce that gets its foundation from butter, milk, flour, and spices. It is a very integral component to a variety of recipes that you may be familiar with like lasagna, sausage gravy, and soufflés. This sauce adds a delightful depth to mac and cheese for sure.
White cheeses: since were making a white mac and cheese, the cheeses Ive used are extra sharp white cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese, and pepper jack cheese for an added lil kick! In addition, its of the utmost importance to buy your cheese from the block and NOT in the pre-shredded bags sold in grocery stores. While pre-shredded cheese may be useful in other scenarios it contains a kind of dust material that disrupts the creaminess factor that only block-style cheese can achieve because it doesnt have that coating. You can grate the cheese with a handheld box grater or shred in a food processor.
Spices: listen, if youre not seasoning your mac and cheeseyoure doing it wrong. There, I said it and nah, Im not taking it back! But you already know that Im only telling you this because I care, mmkay. With that being said, well get our flavor in this recipe from salt, white pepper, ground mustard, and garlic powder. These basic spices help elevate this dish and add that lip-smacking oomph note. BOOM.