The Best Baked Mac and Cheese
Ohhhh boy.
One of everyone’s favorites: macaroni and cheese. What is it about macaroni and cheese that has our hearts? Is it the creamy cheese sauce? The delicious carby-ness of the pasta or the crunch of the baked cheese and breadcrumbs on top? I’d like to think its a combination of all of these things. Although I tend to go on the healthier side with my recipes, there was no way I was making a healthy mac and cheese. I mean… come ON. So if you’re looking for a healthy recipe, you’re going to have to go elsewhere. I’m not playing that game here!
Ooey, gooey, bubbly and crispy. Just the best!!!
Ok ok, maybe you shouldn’t eat just… a half tray of mac and cheese. But if you DO choose to eat a half tray of mac and cheese… just know the judgement isn’t coming from me!!!
Mac & cheese is traditionally served at Thanksgiving here in the US of A. Lately I’ve heard a lot of debate surrounding mac and cheese vs mashed potatoes and this confuses me because why are we limiting ourselves?!?! They both have beautiful, unique places in my heart.
Speaking of not limiting ourselves, I’d say this can be eaten all year round, not just Thanksgiving. With a recipe this delicious you’re going to want to bake it any time you have friends coming over or you have a special meal like Valentines Day dinner or… maybe you just want to eat it while laying in bed binge watching This Is Us…no judgement….
The directions here are pretty basic. Cook pasta, make cheese sauce, pour cheese sauce on pasta, add additional layer of cheese and breadcrumbs before baking, bake…EAT ALL THE MAC & CHEESE!
The Best Baked Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups milk
- 8 oz velveeta
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 cup smoked gouda
- 1/4 cup parmesan
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp seasoned salt
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- salt to taste
- 2 tbsp hot sauce of your choice
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil water, heavily salt water, add 1 tbsp olive oil to the water and cook macaroni 5.5 minutes (should be al dente as it's going to finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
- In a pan add butter and all the spices and flour. Mix until this forms a paste.
- Add half and half, milk, hot sauce, velveeta and cheeses. Stir and heat until a thick sauce forms. Taste and add spices to taste.
- Add pasta to a half tray, pour cheese sauce over and mix together.
- Top with cheddar, parmesan and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 until the top bubbles and browns (about 30-40 minutes). Enjoy!
