Baked Mac and Cheese
Oct 29, 2018 20:09:50 GMT -5
Post by maybetoday on Oct 29, 2018 20:09:50 GMT -5
Baked Mac and Cheese
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate classic comfort food. We're talking decadent creamy macaroni with the most incredible cheese sauce. Total soul-food and always a crowd favorite!
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 628 kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni (10 oz) uncooked (will yield about 5 cups of cooked macaroni)
4 tbsp butter unsalted
4 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 cups milk lukewarm
2 cups provolone cheese shredded
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees.
Boil the macaroni according to the package instructions, then drain it and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, add the butter to a large skillet that's oven proof or a Dutch oven and melt over medium heat. Once the butter has melted whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is lightly browned. This will remove the raw taste of the flour.
Whisk in the salt and pepper.
Add the milk and whisk to remove lumps. You can add it all at once or a bit at a time whisking rigorously until smooth.
Add the provolone cheese and half of the cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth. Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir well. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary.
Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce starts to thicken and bubble, should take about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet and stir it until combined. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and sprinkle smoked paprika over the cheese.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the top starts to brown and sauce gets bubbly.
Serve while warm.
Recipe Notes
Crunchy Topping option: Combine together 1 cup breadcrumbs such as Panko, with 3 tbsp melted butter and 1/4 tsp salt. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese and bake as instructed. If using this crunchy topping add all 4 cups of cheddar cheese to the sauce.
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