How To Make Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese

Storing Crock Pot Mac And Cheese

The Best Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

The leftovers from this mac and cheese recipe need to be refrigerated. Let the leftovers cool completely, cover, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. For optimal texture, add enough milk to thin the sauce before packing up the leftovers, that way you can easily scoop out a portion to reheat, and the milk will meld into the cream sauce as it reheats.

Stovetop Mac And Cheese

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This truly is the BEST stovetop mac and cheese recipe! It only requires one pot , its ready to go in about 20 minutes from start to finish, and its perfectly creamy and cheesy and delicious.

This weekend, Barclay and I went to a food festival here in Barcelona that was fabulously, deliciously,entirely devoted to CHEESE.

And it was just about the best thing ever.

Literally everywhere you turned, ooey gooey cheesy dishes were being served. And youd better believe we took full advantage of them. From freshly-scraped raclette toasts, to the most amazing Korean-inspired mushroom grilled cheese sandwiches, to Spanish onion and smoked cheese soup, to vegan Mexican cheesy quesadillas, to the best ricotta Ive ever sampled, to the most dreamy Italian gyoza-ish dumplings filled with potato and cheese and served in a pecorino-sage saucethe day was all of our cheesiest dreams come true. And we left feeling so happy. And soooo full, ha.

That said, there was one dish notably missing at the festival. But, it just so happens that Ive been on a mission this month to nail down my all-time favorite recipe for it. So yesterday, we decided to round out our cheesy weekend by taste-testing a final version of this recipe. And ohhh guys, I think weve got it. Im humbly calling it

The Best Stovetop Mac and Cheese recipe. Ever.

Stovetop Mac And Cheese Option

I love the golden brown edges and top that baking the macaroni and cheese creates, but you dont need to bake it if you dont want to. For a stovetop mac and cheese, simply add the pasta to the cheese sauce and then let it sit, covered for a few minutes. This time gives the pasta a chance to absorb some of the sauce. You can also take a look at this easy macaroni and cheese recipe made on the stovetop.

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Make It A Cheese Sauce

Now its time for the good stuff!! Stir in the cheese. And dont worry about stirring it until all the cheese melts because it will finish in the oven. This also helps ensure the cheese isnt overcooked which will cause it to separate and become an oily mess. Now time for the pasta! Gently fold in your pasta and pour into a 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and golden on top.

How To Keep Mac And Cheese Creamy

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe: How to Make It

I’m sharing a handful of tips to help keep your easy baked mac and cheese creamy, smooth, and saucy.

First, no eggs. Unlike the Southern-style mac and cheese, this creamy version does not include eggs. The eggs help to “set” the casserole, giving it a firm, dry texture. Since that’s not what we’re going for here, you’ll need to leave out the eggs.
Next, lots of sauce. We’re not skimping on cheese, milk, or cream in this dish. We’ll make plenty of cheese sauce to coat the noodles. It looks like a lot of sauce, but you need that amount in order to keep the dish creamy in the oven.
Velveeta cheese. That’s right, I said it. Blasphemy?! Maybe! But trust me here: Velveeta melts smoothly into the sauce giving the mac and cheese a rich, creamy texture that you just can’t quite replicate with other types of cheese.
Baking Time. This casserole goes in the oven at a low temperature for just 15 minutes. This short baking time is important because it’s just long enough to melt the cheese on top and get the noodles hot inside, but it’s not so long that it dries out the pasta and sauce. If you like a crispier crust on top, you can pop it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.

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Most Amazing Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Creamy, rich, and satisfyingly cheesy this mac and cheese is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering! Gone are the days when you need someone else to make the mac and cheese for the party, you can make it yourself with this delicious recipe.

This macaroni with cheese recipe is made with a combination of cheeses, giving it a robust flavor that will have everyone coming back for more. This mac and cheese will also have a beautiful golden color when its baked.

How To Make Macaroni And Cheese

Making mac and cheese at home is easier than you might think. Start by cooking al dente the elbow macaroni in a pot with salted, boiling water. When done, drain the pasta.

Next, make the cheese sauce. In a saucepan over low-medium heat, combine butter and flour, then mix. Pour in the milk, half-and-half, 3/4 amount of Gruyère and cheddar cheese little by little, by stirring. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes or until thick like a condensed soup. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.

Now, it’s time to assemble mac and cheese casserole. Scoop 1/3 macaroni in the bottom of the baking dish, then pour over 1/3 cheese sauce and stir well. Repeat again until you run out of ingredients. Top with cheese, then bake at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven, let it cool and serve.

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How Long Does Pasta Take To Cook

Ingredients1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente3 tablespoons olive oilsalt and pepper to taste1 cup chicken broth2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsleyOne 9-inch pie plate or a large baking dish, greased and flour-dusted for a thin crust.

In a large pot over medium heat, cook the pasta until it is tender but still firm to the touch, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.In the same pot used to cook the pasta, heat the oil until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.Add the reserved pasta and toss with everything else until everything is coated evenly. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

How To Make Baked Mac And Cheese

Creamy Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Its a straightforward recipe, starting with a basic butter-flour roux that is used to thicken milk to make the cheese sauce. For first timers, I think the short video below will help give you the confidence that youve got this!

The simple trick to avoid lumps in the Mac and Cheese Sauce is to pour the milk in slowly while constantly stirring, then just switch to a whisk if needed to remove any stubborn lumps!

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Creamy Mac And Cheese Recipe Reviews

Folks really do think it is one of the best macaroni and cheese recipes theyve tried. For more real-life reviews and pictures, check out this pin! Reviews like:

Very yummy as is! I like to put the dish in the oven with breadcrumbs and more cheese and let it form a crispy top. Also note I used everything gluten free and it was delish.
I made this for a cookout and everyone loved it. I used 1/2 & 1/2 instead of milk for some extra creaminess and added 1/2 t smoked paprika. Good stuff!
This was so delicious! Creamy, flavourful, and really simple. Our favorite mac and cheese recipe yet!
Made for dinner last night, and it really was the creamiest mac and cheese! The only thing I changed was using American cheese, instead of cheddar

If you loved this creamy mac and cheese recipe, please leave a comment below. Let me know if you added your own flair, and feel free to humble-brag.

What Are The Best Cheeses For Baked Mac And Cheese

As I mentioned above, the secret to creamy baked mac and cheese is Velveeta cheese! This American cheese just melts smoother than other cheeses and gives the sauce that creamy mouthfeel that weâre all looking for. Iâve found that an equal ratio of cheddar cheese and Velveeta cheese yields the best of both worlds â a smooth, creamy mac and cheese with plenty of rich, sharp cheddar flavor.

If you like a combination of other cheeses, you can feel free to replace some of the cheddar with other good melting cheeses. Try Gruyere, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss or mozzarella. The options are endless, so pick your favorites!

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Cook Your Pasta Past Al Dente

Make sure you cook your noodles appropriately when making mac and cheese, especially if you want it to be the creamiest it can possibly be. You need to make sure that you cook the pasta you’re using al dente, which is Italian for “to the tooth,” because if you undercook it, your sauce can get gritty from the extra starch. You also may want to adjust the flour in the roux to accommodate how you’re planning to cook your noodles. Using less flour in the roux might help to offset the undercooked noodles.

Storing And Reheating Mac And Cheese

There is no easy way to tell you this: This particular baked macaroni and cheese will not reheat to its previous glory. Which doesnt mean it isnt good it’s just different.

You can reheat it in the oven to re-crisp the breadcrumb topping, but the mac and cheese part wont be as creamy as it was when you first made it.

Keep mac and cheese covered in your fridge, and microwave the leftovers for up to a week.

Alison Bickel

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How To Make Mac And Cheese Sauce

To make the base of the 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 cheeses, 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.

Tips For The Best Mac & Cheese

Freshly grated cheese dont use pre shredded. They have anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
No bloated overcooked pasta Cool macaroni slightly and lightly coat in butter. This stops the macaroni from absorbing more liquid while baking, resulting in bloated overcooked pasta and less sauce.
To avoid lumps in your sauce, stir constantly as you slowly pour the milk in and keep stirring once the milk is all added. If necessary, switch to a whisk to get rid of stubborn little lumps!
Plenty of sauce Because I like my Mac and Cheese saucy, not dried up so you can cut it like cake!
Can you make Mac and Cheese ahead of time? Most recipes are not suitable for making ahead, but this recipe is! The best way is to cool pasta then toss with sauce and adding breadcrumb topping. Cool, refrigerate or freeze then bake on the day of .
How long can Mac and Cheese stay in the fridge? Unlike most, this Macaroni Cheese recipe is good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Most Mac and Cheese will not keep well because theres not enough sauce so it gets absorbed by the pasta and youre left with dry, sauceless pasta.
Freezing? Yes! Assemble, cool, do not bake, just freeze it. Thaw then on the day of, bake per Note 5 in the recipe.
Add ins? This recipe is great as it is, but theres tons of add-in options. Add shredded chicken, sautéed onion and bell peppers/capsicum, bacon, hot sauce , dried herbs of choice.

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How To Make A Bread Crumb Topping

Combine the following and sprinkle over your casserole before baking.

3/4 cup bread crumbs
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon parsley

This recipe makes an extra saucy creamy macaroni. Do not over-bake this recipe. You want it creamy and rich, over-baking will cause it to dry out. I find that 20 minutes is perfect in my oven, the cheese sauce will thicken slightly while standing.

Making Instant Pot Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time

Creamy Mac n Cheese Recipe | Baked Mac n Cheese

Some recipes are great, and even better, when made ahead but mac and cheese just isnt one of them.

As the pasta sits, it absorbs more and more of the sauce, making the mac and cheese dry, and the noodles mushy.

In my opinion, this is a recipe that just tastes the best when made right before you eat it.

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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.

Why You Will Love This Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe:

I made this recipe after having a grueling week and looking for some easy comfort food to put everyone in a good mood. I wanted it to be over the top and impressive enough to serve guests. Well, my whole family cleaned out the entire dish and asked when I was going to make it again, lol! Needless to say, it has become a favorite and heres why you will want to make it:

There are 3 different cheeses
Its not dry but instead extra saucy
Super indulgent
Great flavor, not bland and flavorless
You can add in extras to take it even more over the top

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How To Make Instant Pot Mac And Cheese

Add pasta, liquids, butter, hot sauce and seasonings.

Dont stir. Just gently press down with a wooden spoon to make sure all the pasta is submerged. This ensures the pasta will cook and not be hard. Stirring could result in a burn notice on your Instant Pot.

Pressure cook for 4 minutes.

Quick release. I tested performing a natural pressure release, and it usually resulted in overcooked pasta, so I prefer to do a quick release.Be aware, this recipe is starchy, and can sputter quite a bit when venting. I usually place a folded paper towel loosely over the vent to prevent any kitchen messes. Keep in mind, this isnt recommended by Instant Pot, just something I do do this at your own risk.

Turn off your Instant Pot. This prevents any possible overcooking by keeping it on keep warm.

Stir in heavy cream, and cheeses. Add in the cheese a handful or so at a time, stirring really well after each addition. Keep stirring until a creamy sauce forms.

Do I Have To Bake This Mac And Cheese

If you want to skip the panko topping and just serve this as a stovetop mac and cheese. be my guest! Its still delicious!

PS are you thinking of putting this on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full Whats Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!

And if you need more Thanksgiving Ideas check out this roundup of 80+ Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas

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The Perfect Add Ins To Change Up This Baked Mac And Cheese:

Bacon! Cook bacon until crisp, crumble and stir in with the cheese.
Spinach: Stir in fresh spinach with the cheese.
Other vegetables: Stir in cooked chopped vegetables of choice with the cheese.
Chopped or shredded cooked chicken
Looking for that crunchy breadcrumb topping?? Mix 1 cup panko or crushed ritz crackers with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle over the mac and cheese after pouring it into the 9×13 baking dish. Can also mix in desired herbs and garlic with the topping.

Tips For Making Creamy Macaroni And Cheese

If you don’t have half-and-half, cream works in this recipe, too. It’ll give you an ultra-rich creamy mac and cheese.

Serve mac and cheese as a tasty side dish or as a main dinner. As a main, it’s excellent with green salads, roasted or steamed vegetables, or coleslaw. When serving up mac and cheese as a side, it’s amazing with barbecue.

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Tips For The Best Mac And Cheese

Cooking the Pasta Boil the pasta to be a little less than done . It will continue to cook in the oven and end up just right.
Use Room Temperature Milks This will help the sauce thicken faster as they wont be very cold to start. Set the milk and heavy cream out before you start the recipe.
Types of Cheeses Use what you like. My favorites are cheddar, Velveeta®, gruyere, and Monterey Jack. You can get creative with the cheese and use what you enjoy.
Shred Your Own Cheese For the best result, and complete melting, it is best to shred your own cheese using a box grater . Bags of cheese that you buy pre-shredded contain starch that prevents the cheese from clumping in the bag. This makes it harder for the cheese to melt.