Description
Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese is the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth and nostalgia to your table with every delicious bite. This classic dish features tender elbow pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and Gruyere, baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re serving it at family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy dinners at home, this recipe is easy to follow and allows for customization to suit your taste. Add crispy bacon, sautéed vegetables, or even a crunchy breadcrumb topping for a personal touch. Experience the gooey, cheesy delight of homemade mac and cheese that’s sure to become a favorite among family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb elbow pasta
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 ½ cups half-and-half
- 4 cups medium sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil salted water in a large pot, cook pasta until al dente (about a minute less than package instructions), drain and toss with olive oil.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in half-and-half followed by milk until thickened.
- Remove from heat; mix in spices and cheeses (reserve some for topping).
- Combine pasta with cheese sauce; layer half in the baking dish followed by reserved cheese and remaining mixture.
- Top with remaining cheese and bake for about 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg