Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy homemade baked mac and cheese recipe. Cheesy, gooey, and utterly delicious, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 lb. dried elbow pasta
Cheese Sauce:
- 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
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
- 1/2 Tbsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 3-quart baking dish.
2. Boil pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in half and half and milk until thickened.
4. Add in 3 cups of cheddar and 1 cup of Gruyere cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
5. Combine cooked pasta with cheese sauce, mixing well.
6. Pour half the mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere.
7. Add remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining cheeses.
8. Bake for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to your preference, such as garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, or hot sauce.
Mac and Cheese can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
For a five-cheese variation or a crunchier topping, consider adding Parmesan, mozzarella, or a panko breadcrumb crust.