This recipe for baked macaroni and cheese calls for elbow macaroni, butter, flour, milk, cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, and parsley. The macaroni is boiled and drained before being mixed with a cheese sauce made of melted butter, flour, milk, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. The mixture is then poured into a baking dish, topped with bread crumbs and parsley, and baked for 25-30 minutes. This recipe is easy to follow and produces a creamy and delicious mac and cheese that is perfect for any occasion.
The Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe You’ll Ever Try
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until smooth. Slowly add the milk while whisking continuously to ensure no lumps form. Allow the mixture to cook until it thickens, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Cheese
Add the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Slowly add the shredded cheddar cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 4: Mix the Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 5: Add Bread Crumbs and Parsley
Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the macaroni and cheese mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling. Remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Allow the mac and cheese to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious and cheesy mac and cheese that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion
This baked mac and cheese recipe is simple and easy to follow, but the end result is creamy, cheesy, and delicious. It’s the perfect comfort food that can be enjoyed any day of the week. So, invite your friends and family over and impress them with your amazing cooking skills!