Baked Macaroni and Cheese
An irresistible family favorite, this ultra-cheesy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is simple to make and perfect for holiday meals, meatless meals, or any time.
Servings: 8
Calories: 725kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry elbow pasta
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, divided
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3½ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
- fresh thyme, for topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Fill a large pot with water, add 1 teaspoon of salt and cook the pasta until al dente, 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain well, stir in 1 tablespoon butter, and set them aside.
- In a large skillet or pot, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a thick paste and continue stirring until the roux begins to turn golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour in the milk and whisk until it becomes a creamy sauce free of any lumps.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, heavy cream, grated parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, and shredded gouda.
- Bring the creamy sauce to a simmer, stirring until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.
- Taste the sauce for seasoning and adjust as necessary.
- Remove from heat and add the cooked macaroni directly into the cheese sauce, mix well to get an even creaminess throughout the macaroni.
- Place macaroni in a baking dish, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Remove from oven and let stand a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve.
Notes
- Cook the Pasta: I recommend cooking the pasta a little less time, about one minute sooner than the package directions state because, the pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
- Add the Cheese in Batches: To get the creamiest sauce, try stirring in the cheese in batches. It will melt more evenly and help avoid a grainy texture.
- Add Extra Flavor: For added depth of flavor, try stirring a small amount of your favorite yellow mustard, spicy mustard, or Dijon mustard into the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 725kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1132mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1444IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 587mg | Iron: 1mg