This baked mac and cheese recipe is a stovetop cheddar sauce tossed with elbows, then baked. It is not tuna noodle casserole and not baked ziti.
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Baked Mac and Cheese
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Baked macaroni and cheese with a cheddar sauce. From Olivia at Flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454g) elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons (56g) butter
- 1/4 cup (31g) flour
- 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces (340g) sharp cheddar, shredded
- 4 ounces (113g) gruyere or extra cheddar
- 1/2 cup panko and 1 tablespoon butter for the top
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil pasta 2 minutes short of the package time. Drain.
- Melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute. Whisk in warm milk and simmer until the sauce coats a spoon.
- Off heat, stir in mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and cheeses until smooth. Fold in the pasta.
- Spread in a buttered 9×13 dish. Top with buttered panko. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and browned.
Notes
Shred cheese yourself. Pre-shredded blends stay grainy. A splash of pasta water loosens a tight sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Not a pasta casserole with soup
No canned soup and no tuna. The sauce is milk, flour, and cheese.
Substitutions
Monterey jack melts well. A little mozzarella helps the pull.
Mistakes to avoid
Boiling the pasta all the way makes mush after the oven. Stop early.
Storage
Refrigerate 4 days. Add a splash of milk when reheating.
Nutrition (estimated)
About 520 calories per serving. Estimate only, not a lab test.
FAQ
Can I skip the oven?
Yes. Serve the stovetop sauce as soon as the cheese melts. The bake is for the crust.
Why is my sauce grainy?
The heat was too high after the cheese went in, or the cheese had anti-caking starch.
Is this tuna casserole?
No. Tuna noodle casserole is a different Flavors URL.
Gluten-free pasta?
Use a sturdy short shape and keep the sauce slightly looser.