The best baked macaroni and cheese--creamy and full of cheese, it's a classic family favorite!
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time40 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr10 minutesmins
Servings: 12servings
Calories: 730kcal
Author: Lucy Brewer
Ingredients
1stick unsalted butter
½cupall-purpose flour
½teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonblack pepper
2cupshalf-and-half
1cupwhole milk
6cupsgrated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
1poundmacaroni noodles, cooked and drained
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish, and spread foil inside a large cookie sheet for the dish to sit in.
Grate all the cheese into a large bowl. Remove three cups of cheese to another bowl and set aside. This is for the sauce.
Melt butter completely in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. (I use the same stockpot in which I cooked the noodles.) Slowly whisk in flour until smooth.
Cook, whisking continuously, for about two minutes. Slowly whisk in half-and-half and milk and whisk continuously for 8-10 minutes until thickened.
Remove pot from heat. Stir in salt and pepper. Stir in three cups of grated cheese and continue stirring until cheese is completely melted and sauce is creamy.
Add cooked macaroni noodles to the cheese sauce and mix well, until noodles are incorporated into sauce. Slowly mix 1 1/2 cups grated cheese into the noodles. Pour noodles and cheese sauce into the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese on top of the noodles. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes to develop a nice, browned, crusty top. Let the macaroni and cheese sit for 10-15 minutes and blot the top with paper towels if needed.
Notes
Tips for Making the Best Macaroni and Cheese
Use good quality cheese. I like Kraft Cracker Barrel cheese.
Cook the noodles before you start the macaroni cheese sauce.
Have all the cheese grated and separated and ready before you start the sauce.
Don't rush the macaroni cheese sauce. Allow the sauce to thicken slowly, which is still less than ten minutes.
Allow the mac and cheese to rest uncovered for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Blot the top of the baked mac and cheese with paper towels if needed before serving.
How to Freeze Mac and Cheese Before Baking:
Once you've mixed the grated cheese into the noodles and sauce, portion the mac and cheese into whatever containers you are using.
Allow the mac and cheese to cool, then sprinkle on the grated cheese.
Place containers uncovered in freezer until frozen, then cover.
To reheat, thaw and follow baking instructions above.
How to Freeze Mac and Cheese After Baking:
Either leave in baking dish (if freezer safe) or portion the baked macaroni and cheese into smaller containers.
Place containers uncovered in freezer until frozen, then cover.
To reheat, thaw and allow to come to room temperature.
Place COVERED dish in oven on 350º for about 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 minutes until bubbly.