Delicious Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes from Local Artisans

Baked Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food dish that combines tender macaroni pasta with a creamy and cheesy sauce, then baked in the oven until golden and bubbly. It's a simple and delicious dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 cups milk

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese

8 ounces grated Gruyere cheese

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions for each step in the recipe

1. reheat the oven

Before you start cooking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure that the mac and cheese is cooked evenly and that the cheese sauce is hot and bubbly when it's time to serve.

2. Cook the macaroni

Boil the macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions, typically 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. This means that the pasta should still be firm when you bite into it, but not too hard or crunchy.

3. Make the cheese sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and smooth. Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously, until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

4. Add seasonings and cheese

Stir in the dijon mustard, salt, and pepper, and then remove the pan from heat. Gradually add the grated cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. If the cheese doesn't melt fully, you can place the pan back on low heat and stir until melted.

5. Combine the macaroni and cheese sauce

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well.

6. Pour the mixture into a baking dish

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

7. Add breadcrumbs

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the mac and cheese. This will give the dish a crunchy texture and add flavor.

8. Bake

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

9. Let it cool

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the mac and cheese to set and become easier to serve.

10. Serve and enjoy

Serve the baked mac and cheese hot, with your favorite side dish, such as roasted vegetables or a salad. Enjoy!

The process of making the cheese sauce

Melt the butter

In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. This will serve as the base for the cheese sauce.

Whisk in the flour

Once the butter is melted, add 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the pan. Whisk the flour and butter together until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. This is called a roux, and it will help thicken the sauce.

Gradually add the milk

While continuing to whisk, gradually add 4 cups of milk to the roux. Whisk the mixture continuously until it is smooth, to prevent lumps from forming.

Bring to a boil and reduce heat

Once the mixture is smooth, bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

Stir in seasonings and cheese

Stir in 2 teaspoons of dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Then, gradually add 8 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese and 8 ounces of grated Gruyere cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. If the cheese doesn't melt fully, you can place the pan back on low heat and stir until melted.

By following these steps, you'll have a smooth and creamy cheese sauce that is perfect for your baked mac and cheese.

Some precautions to keep in mind when making baked mac and cheese

Use high-quality cheese

High-quality cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese are essential for a rich and flavorful baked mac and cheese. Avoid using pre-shredded cheese as it often contains additives that can impact the flavor and texture of your dish. Instead, grate the cheese yourself for the best results.

Cook the pasta al dente

Overcooked pasta can become mushy and ruin the texture of your baked mac and cheese. To ensure that the pasta is cooked just right, follow the cooking instructions on the package and taste it frequently to make sure it's still firm but not crunchy.

Gradually add the milk

Gradually adding the milk to the cheese sauce while whisking continuously will prevent lumps from forming. This will ensure that the sauce is smooth and creamy. If you add the milk too quickly, the mixture may become lumpy and difficult to smooth out.

Don't overcook the cheese sauce

Overcooking the cheese sauce can cause it to become grainy and spoil the texture of your dish. Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from heat and stir in the cheese. If the cheese doesn't melt fully, you can place the pan back on low heat and stir until melted.

Be careful with the breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs can add a crunchy texture to your baked mac and cheese, but be careful not to add too many. A generous sprinkle of breadcrumbs is all you need. If you add too many, they can dry out the dish and make it overcooked.

Let the dish cool before serving

Letting the baked mac and cheese cool for 5-10 minutes before serving will allow the cheese to set and prevent it from spilling out of the dish when you serve it. This will also help the dish retain its shape and make it easier to cut into portions.

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