𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 🧀🍲🧀

[culinary_connoisseur]

Hey there! If you're in the mood for some ultimate comfort food, I've got just the thing for you. Let's dive into this mouthwatering Baked Mac and Cheese recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds!​

1200×900
66.7 kB

𝑰𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔​

• 1 lb. dried elbow pasta
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 1/2 cups half and half
• 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese divided (measured after shredding)
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese divided (measured after shredding)
• 1/2 Tbsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. paprika smoked paprika is our favorite!

𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒖𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔! 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒔𝒆
If you've never prepared homemade mac and cheese, it might seem intimidating. But don't worry, we'll guide you through it step by step!

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 3 qt baking dish (9x13"). Set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente.
3. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking. While water is coming up to a boil, shred cheeses and toss together to mix, then divide into three piles. Approximately 3 cups for the sauce, 1 1/2 cups for the inner layer, and 1 1/2 cups for the topping.
4. Melt butter in a large saucepan over MED heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Mixture will look like very wet sand. Cook for approximately 1 minute, whisking often. Slowly pour in about 2 cups or so of the half and half, while whisking constantly, until smooth. Slowly pour in the remaining half and half and the whole milk, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
5. Continue to heat over MED heat, whisking very often, until thickened to a very thick consistency. It should almost be the consistency of a semi thinned out condensed soup.Remove from the heat and stir in spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheeses, then top that with the remaining pasta mixture.
7. Sprinkle the top with the last 1 1/2 cups of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.

Happy cooking!

 

[mndynthn12]

Baked mac and cheese is a classic favorite! Can't wait to dive into that cheesy goodness. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

 

[Chiyah_]

Gruyere cheese is such a good call - it adds another layer of flavor to the cheddar. I also love the tip about using a little olive oil on the drained pasta to prevent sticking. Sometimes I get impatient and forget that step!