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Get ready for a delightful culinary experience with this Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe! It’s quick, easy, and features a homemade cheese sauce that envelops tender noodles, baked to achieve a rich, bubbly, golden-brown finish. Pair it with a generous serving of vegetables for the ultimate weeknight dinner that satisfies everyone at the table.
Hello! I’m Holly from The Modern Proper team. Today, I’m thrilled to present one of my all-time favorite recipes: Baked Macaroni and Cheese. This straightforward yet classic dish is sure to become your go-to comfort food!
I understand that many families are focused on providing nutritious meals these days; however, mac and cheese doesn’t have to be off the table! I always complement this indulgent dish with hearty veggies on the side. My kids often forget they’re eating greens when they’re paired with cheesy goodness—everyone leaves happy!
How Do You Create Homemade Macaroni and Cheese?
The foundation of homemade mac and cheese is a roux made from flour and butter. Start by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium heat before adding flour; stir until thickened (about 3 minutes). Gradually whisk in warmed milk—this helps maintain thickness while speeding up the heating process until it simmers. Once combined properly, your roux will transform into a rich creamy sauce perfect for mixing in cheese along with some flavor enhancers before pouring over cooked pasta.
Should You Cover Your Macaroni and Cheese While Baking?
You might wonder whether covering your macaroni during baking is necessary. Personally, I prefer leaving it uncovered so that crispy bits form on top—a delicious contrast to the creamy interior! Since the noodles are pre-cooked, you’re mainly looking for bubbling perfection throughout while achieving that lovely golden crust on top—but ultimately it’s up to you!
In this recipe, I’ve included optional flavor boosters like garlic powder (a must-have!) as well as nutmeg and mustard powder for an extra kick—though these additions are entirely optional! For those who enjoy some heat like my husband does (my kids aren’t fans), serving it alongside sriracha can elevate your meal even further.
So next time you’re searching for an easy yet scrumptious weeknight dinner option for family or friends alike—look no further than this delightful Baked Macaroni & Cheese recipe! If you’re short on time but still crave something comforting try out our 4 Ingredient Stovetop version or Slow Cooker Mushroom Mac & Cheese instead.
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) placing an oven rack in the center.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat melt butter. 3. Add flour into melted butter stirring until thickened (~3 minutes).
- Gradually whisk in milk slowly; doing so will yield thicker results.
- Stir in 1 pound of cheddar cheese along with ½ cup parmesan into sauce reserving another 1½ cups cheddar plus another ½ cup parmesan aside.
- Season sauce using salt pepper garlic powder mustard powder & nutmeg stirring until fully combined. 7 . Combine cooked macaroni noodles together with prepared sauce then transfer mixture into greased (if needed) 9 x13 baking dish topping off remaining cheeses before placing inside preheated oven baking until golden brown & bubbly (~20-25 minutes). 8 . Optionally garnish finished product using flat-leaf parsley if desired!
Nutritional Information
Calories: 509 kcal
Carbohydrates: 73 g
Protein: 24 g
Fat: 13 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol:35 mg
Sodium :1124 mg
Potassium :472 mg
Fiber :3g
Sugar :13g
Vitamin A :474 IU
Calcium :430mg
Iron :2mg
Note: Nutritional values provided here are approximations based upon automatic calculations.
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