Description
This classic Baked Mac and Cheese recipe features a creamy, cheesy sauce made from sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, combined with tender elbow macaroni and baked to golden perfection. Enhanced with a flavorful blend of spices including paprika, mustard powder, garlic, and onion powder, this dish makes a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni pasta (preferably a high-quality Italian bronze-cut pasta)
- 1 Tbsp fine sea salt (for boiling pasta)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 Tbsp extra-light olive oil (or other neutral oil)
Cheese Mixture
- 6 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese (16 oz)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 oz)
Cheese Sauce
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter (2/3 stick, plus more for greasing the dish)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp plus 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (divided, 1 Tbsp for pasta water and 1/2 tsp for sauce)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp mustard powder (or 2 tsp Dijon mustard)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter a 3-quart or 9×13-inch casserole dish thoroughly and set it aside to prevent sticking when baking.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Immediately drizzle the noodles with the extra-light olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Mix cheeses: In a large bowl, combine the shredded medium cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. You should have approximately 8 cups of cheese mixture. Set aside.
- Make roux: In a large Dutch oven or sizable pot heated over medium, melt the butter. Once it begins to foam, whisk in the flour. Continue whisking for about 2 minutes until the flour just starts turning a light golden color, forming a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Add liquids: Slowly stream in the whole milk, heavy cream, and the reserved pasta water while continuously whisking. Keep whisking until the sauce is creamy, smooth, and just beginning to boil.
- Season sauce: Add the paprika, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk well to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer while stirring occasionally for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a light gravy consistency.
- Melt cheese into sauce: Stir in 3 cups of the cheese mixture into the sauce until fully melted. Add another 3 cups of cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Reserve about 2 cups of cheese for topping the casserole.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Fold the cooked pasta into the cheesy sauce until the noodles are evenly coated. Turn off the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the mac and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the reserved 2 cups of cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake and broil: Bake for 15 minutes at 350°F until the cheese melts and the dish is bubbly. For a more golden and crispy topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese.
Notes
- Using a high-quality Italian bronze-cut pasta elevates the texture and allows the sauce to cling better.
- Reserving pasta water is crucial for loosening the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- You can substitute mustard powder with Dijon mustard for a more pronounced flavor.
- Broil the top only briefly to avoid burning the cheese.
- Butter the casserole dish well to prevent sticking and make serving easier.
- Feel free to mix in crispy bacon or breadcrumbs on top for added texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, cheddar mac and cheese, comfort food, casserole, homemade mac and cheese
