![]() ![]() If you want to add bacon, cook until just under your preferred level of doneness. I personally love crushing fried onions over my mac and cheese. If you want a bread crumb topping, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a skillet and add about 1 cup of bread crumbs to toast until lightly golden before adding to your mac and cheese. Over boiling the pasta beyond el dente will result in a mushy mac and cheese after the final baking. You want some crunchy golden spots on the cheese topping, but over-baking the pasta will start to make the cheese sauce clumpy and less creamy. Some people like adding cream cheese – if you’d like to try that, just stick to one block and use 3 cups of shredded cheese for the remaining cheese.Īs always, I highly recommend tasting your recipe throughout the preparation process so you can correct over- or under-seasoning.Įrr on the side of under boiling and under baking the pasta. You can add pepperjack cheese for a bit of kick or even give this recipe a gourmet flair by using cheeses like fontina, gouda, Swiss, etc. I change it up based on whatever I have on hand, but sharp cheddar is always one of the cheeses. I also like using a blend of two or more cheeses to give our mac and cheese a bit more depth of flavor. (I also like adding a bit of mustard powder and chili powder, or even chopped jalapeños, but I got in trouble the last time I did that.) Experiment and make this recipe your own. Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, seasoning salt, garlic powder, etc – my daughter would probably go crazy for a ranch mac and cheese. I just use white pepper, salt and paprika to simply season this mac and cheese but you can incorporate any favorite seasoning blend to really play with the flavors. I will warn you though – once you’ve served this decadent mac and cheese to your family, they may no longer accept any blue box shortcuts. Yes, it takes a little longer to prepare than that little blue box, but it’s well worth the extra baking time and cheese shredding. This baked mac and cheese recipe is comfort food perfection and incredibly easy to whip up. Maybe even two.Īnd there is nothing more disappointing than when a gorgeous mac and cheese turns out to be lacklustre in flavor, or the cheese sauce is too slippery to really coat the noodles. Baked mac and cheese leftovers can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheated in the oven.I could give or take most pasta recipes, but a creamy baked mac and cheese with a thick cheese sauce and crunchy, golden baked cheese topping? I’m going in for a giant scoop, every time. I would add more cooking water or milk (approximately 1 cup) as the pasta will absorb more liquid if it is made ahead. Yes, the mac and cheese can be fully prepped all the way up to the baking step a day in advance. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes then serve. Place in a preheated oven and allow to bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden and bubbling. Combine the bread, oil, salt and thyme and scatter over the top. Bake the mac and cheese: Transfer the macaroni to a casserole or baking dish.You want the sauce to be very creamy and a little loose as it will continue thickening in the oven. Add the pasta to the sauce along with the sour cream and stir to combine. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water and drain. Cook for 8 minutes or until almost cooked but still a bit firm (just under al dente). Cook the pasta and assemble: While the sauce cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and add the pasta.Stir until the cheese has melted then season to taste. ![]() Once cooked, remove from the heat and add the cheeses. Allow to simmer, stirring regularly, until the sauce is thick and creamy. Pour the milk in whilst whisking continously until a smooth sauce is formed. Melt the butter in a saucepan and whisk in the flour until smooth. Make the four cheese sauce: Start by making the roux.I used sourdough bread that I tore roughly but you could use fresh, Panko or dried breadcrumbs. I like it for the super cheesy pull it gives the finished mac and cheese. Any nutty, good melting cheese will work. I used a mature/sharp cheddar cheese. Monterey Jack, Colby jack etc. The full baked homemade mac and cheese recipe can be found in the recipe card. Four cheeses and crispy thyme breadcrumbs make this an irresistible dish, any time of the year. The cheesiest baked mac and cheese recipe, ever. ![]()
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