Description
A baked mac and cheese recipe that is rich and creamy, but can be made ahead of time and thrown in the oven when guests arrive.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces macaroni
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 1/2 cups 2% milk
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Step: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Step: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, cook for 8 – 9 minutes. Strain and set aside.
- Step: In a heavy-bottomed large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Step: Sprinkle the flour, white pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper over the melted butter, whisking until smooth and the mixture has thickened slightly.
- Step: Stir in the milk 1/2 cup at a time, only adding the next half cup once the previous one has been incorporated entirely.
- Step: Add all of the medium cheddar cheese and half of the extra sharp cheddar cheese, stir into the milk/flour sauce until melted. Stir in the macaroni.
- Step: Pour into a 3 quart baking dish. Top with the remaining extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- Step: Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes.
Notes
Using the specific combination of Medium and Extra Sharp Cheddar ensures the sauce remains creamy and prevents it from becoming gritty or too bland.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Holiday, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 538 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: macaroni and cheese, southern baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese