Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This classic baked macaroni and cheese delivers the perfect balance of creamy cheese sauce and crispy golden topping. Made with everyday ingredients and simple techniques, it's the ultimate comfort food that both kids and adults will love. The secret is in creating a smooth, velvety cheese sauce that coats every piece of pasta.
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Serves
6 servings
Difficulty
easy
Ingredients
Ingredients
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This baked macaroni and cheese recipe walks you through creating a perfect cheese sauce from scratch and achieving that coveted crispy top. The key is cooking the pasta slightly underdone so it doesn't become mushy during baking, and making a smooth béchamel sauce as the base for your cheese sauce. Follow these steps for mac and cheese that's miles better than any boxed version.
For the best results, grate your cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. You can customize this recipe by adding cooked bacon, sautéed vegetables, or different cheese combinations. For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.