Still the best Baked Mac and Cheese I’ve ever had, with a stunning white creamy cheese sauce and a buttery breadcrumb topping. This is THE Macaroni Cheese recipe that’s wildly popular every Thanksgiving and Christmas! Show
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”! I don’t want to be morbid, but if I had to choose a Last Meal, this Baked Mac and Cheese may possibly be it. Put me in a room with Macaroni Cheese, and neither of us stand a chance. Said Mac and Cheese would be ravaged. And of all the Mac and Cheeses in the world, this is still the best Mac and Cheese I’ve ever had! About this Macaroni and CheeseThis is a Mac and Cheese recipe that is everything you want in a knock-your-socks off Macaroni Cheese – cheesy and creamy, with perfectly cooked macaroni (no bloated pasta!), plenty of sauce and a crunchy buttery top (essential in my world!) What goes in Baked Mac and CheeseHere’s what you need. Cheese. Butter. Pasta. All the essential food groups covered!😂 Best pasta for Mac and Cheese?Macaroni, also known as elbow pasta. But really, any short pasta will work just fine – penne, ziti, twirls etc. Best cheese for Mac and Cheese?A combination of Gruyere and mozzarella cheese. Gruyere for the most superior flavour with the best melting qualities for creamy sauces such as this – there’s 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. No cream?NO! You do NOT need it. This sauce is rich enough as it is from the butter and cheese. Cream makes it so rich you can’t eat more than a few spoonfuls. How disappointing!!! How to make Baked Mac and CheeseIt’s 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 you’ve 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! Tips for the BEST Mac & Cheese!
What to serve with Baked Mac and CheeseMac and Cheese is worthy of serving as a meal in its own right, served with just a fresh green salad or simple vegetable side. Nothing heavy because Macaroni Cheese is so rich as it is! As a side dish, it will compliment virtually any non-Asian main dish. From simple Baked Pork Chops to Steak, a Roast Chicken to Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs, the only things I probably would not serve with Mac and Cheese would be very light summery mains such as a Tuna Tartare – just a little too much contrast. And of course, festive gatherings! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter – alongside a grand Roast Turkey or your Herb & Garlic Butter Slathered Turkey Breast, the juicy Roast Pork with impossibly Crispy Crackling or your Prime Rib that’s so perfectly blushing pink all the way through, it makes you want to weep. Holidays would not be the same without this Mac and Cheese!! – Nagi xx Baked Mac and Cheese recipeWatch how to make itThis recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates. Servings6 – 8 people Tap or hover to scale Recipe VIDEO above. Still the best Baked Mac and Cheese I've ever had in my life! Perfect in every way, this has a stunningly white, ultra creamy cheese sauce with a beautiful crunchy, buttery topping. Great one for serving at gatherings because it won't dry out and go stodgy like most Macaroni Cheese recipes because of the extra step of tossing the macaroni in butter (stops it from bloating) and because it's extra saucy out of the oven. TOP TIP: Grate your own cheese, it makes all the difference. Store bought includes anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a bit grainy or powdery. Macaroni:
Topping:
Sauce:
Seasonings (optional):
Pasta:
Topping:
Sauce (video is helpful):
Assembling:
1. Panko breadcrumbs are larger pieces than normal breadcrumbs which creates a really nice extra crunchy topping. It can be found in the Asian section of supermarkets here in Australia. Can sub with normal breadcrumbs. 2. Cheese
3. Tossing pasta with butter provides a light coating that helps prevent it from bloating while baking in the sauce. This is also the reason why I let the pasta cool before mixing in with the sauce. Optional step – can skip it. 4. Baking dish size – 2.5L/2.5qt (10 cup) baking dish. A 9 x 13″ / 23 x 33 dish is perfect for a double batch, a little too big for a single batch (spreads too thinly, you want more depth). 5. PREPARE AHEAD: Mac and Cheese is best made fresh but if you need to make ahead, this is the best way: Cook pasta and toss in butter, cool (this is important as hot pasta will absorb sauce and bloat). Make cheese sauce per recipe, mix through pasta, sprinkle on breadcrumb topping. Refrigerate or freeze (thaw fully in fridge before baking). Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes at 180°C/350°F. Remove foil then bake further 25 minutes until top is golden. (Fridge cold Mac & Cheese takes longer to bake). REHEATING LEFTOVERS: Best way is to microwave to make warm then spray top with oil (or butter) and crisp under grill/broiler. 6. Nutrition per serving. 6 servings as a generous side – you will be surprised how far 250g/8oz stretches with a load of cheese sauce! Will serve 4 generously as a main. Calories: 551cal (28%)Carbohydrates: 48g (16%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fat: 29g (45%)Saturated Fat: 17g (106%)Cholesterol: 89mg (30%)Sodium: 847mg (37%)Potassium: 326mg (9%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 915IU (18%)Vitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 449mg (45%)Iron: 1.4mg (8%) Keywords: Baked Mac and Cheese, BEST Mac and Cheese, Mac and cheese recipe, Macaroni and Cheese Recipe first published July 2017. Updated a few times since then with better photos, addition of recipe video. Updated November 2021 to reconfirm that it is STILL the best Mac I’ve ever had!! No changes to recipe – readers would never forgive me!! The RecipeTin Eats MAC & CHEESE COLLECTIONI love a good Mac & Cheese! See??
Life of DozerWhen Dozer went camping: Are we there yet, are we there yet?? What cheeses make the best mac & cheese?Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.
What 3 cheeses go well together for mac and cheese?White cheddar has a sharp profile flavor like sharp cheddar and can be used to replace sharp cheddar in a traditional mac & cheese recipe. White cheddar is also the perfect flavor to blend with Gruyere, sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, and even pepper jack.
What 4 cheeses go in mac and cheese?The Four Kinds of Cheese You'll Need for Four Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese:. Sharp Cheddar – The most popular cheese for mac and cheese. ... . Muenster – Made from cow's milk, semi-soft and perfect for mac and cheese.. Pecorino – Sharp with a salty flavor and hard texture.. Gruyere – Sweet but slightly salty.. |