Crave a baked mac and cheese recipe that feels like home. This baked macaroni and cheese recipe nods to the famous diner pan. I keep it creamy and cozy, no fuss. I lean on a go to mac and cheese recipe that bakes slow and sets tender. A southern mac and cheese recipe baked until the top turns golden makes the house smell right. I share tips from mac and cheese recipe videos and my own kitchen notes. Try a home made mac and cheese recipe on a busy weeknight or riff with a broccoli mac and cheese recipe for a green crunch.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
- 4) How to Make Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
- 5) Tips for Making Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
- 6) Making Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Baked Mac And Cheese
- 8) Try these pasta dishes next
- 9) Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
This creamy pan from Elena on Elena Cooks bakes into soft noodles and a golden top. A baked mac and cheese recipe warms the kitchen and the mood. The method stays simple and steady so dinner lands on time.
The base uses milk eggs and a trio of cheeses for body and pull. Spices stay friendly so kids cheer and adults nod. The finish tastes rich yet balanced.
The dish travels well for potlucks and holds on a warm table. Leftovers reheat without turning grainy. The flavor even deepens by the next day.
2) Easy Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
I chase comfort and reach for a baked mac and cheese recipe again and again. This baked mac and cheese recipe starts with pantry items and ends with clean plates. Two spoons in the dish tell the true story.
I skip a stovetop roux and lean on a gentle custard that sets as it bakes. The texture lands between creamy and sliceable. It feels like a hug after a long day.
Friends ask for the link so I keep it on Elena Cooks where we share real life food that works. I learned on busy nights that an oven baked mac and cheese saves the meal and the mood. Try it once and you will know.
3) Ingredients for Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
Elbow macaroni A tender tube holds sauce in each bend. Cook it just shy of done so it keeps a light bite in the oven.
Unsalted butter Small cubes melt over hot pasta and keep noodles from clumping. Butter adds round flavor from the first toss.
Whole milk Cold milk blends with eggs for a smooth custard. The mild taste lets the cheese shine.
Evaporated milk This pantry can brings a deeper dairy note. It helps the sauce stay creamy after a bake.
Eggs Beaten eggs set the casserole so slices lift clean. The texture stays soft not dense.
Sharp cheddar Shred fresh for bold flavor and good melt. Cheddar builds the classic profile we all expect.
American cheese A small amount brings silk and that kid loved pull. It blends well with stronger cheeses.
Colby Jack Mild and melty this cheese rounds out the mix and helps the top brown in the oven.
Kosher salt Season the custard and the pasta water so every bite pops. Taste as you go.
Black pepper A few grinds add warmth without heat. Pepper wakes up the dairy.
Paprika A light sprinkle adds color and a gentle sweet note. It looks nice on the finished pan.
Dry mustard A classic trick that sharpens cheese flavor. You will not taste mustard only brightness.
Garlic powder A pinch supports the cheese without stealing the scene. It fits the cozy theme.
Panko crumbs For crunch on top mix with melted butter. Skip if you prefer a bare cheesy lid.
Parmesan A tablespoon or two in the crumbs gives a nutty edge. It helps the crust brown.
4) How to Make Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
step one Heat the oven to three hundred fifty. Grease a nine by thirteen dish. This size gives the best balance of creamy center and browned edges.
step two Boil salted water. Cook macaroni two minutes less than the box time. Drain and toss with butter until glossy.
step three Whisk milk evaporated milk and eggs in a big bowl until smooth. Add salt pepper paprika dry mustard and garlic powder.
step four Stir in half the cheddar all the American and half the Colby Jack. The mix should look thick yet pourable.
step five Fold the warm pasta into the bowl. Pour into the dish. Scatter the rest of the cheddar and Colby Jack on top.
step six For a crust toss panko with melted butter and a little Parmesan. Sprinkle over the cheese layer for extra crunch.
step seven Bake until the edges bubble and the center barely jiggles about thirty to thirty five minutes. Rest the pan ten minutes so slices hold.
5) Tips for Making Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
Shred cheese fresh for the best melt. Pre shredded bags often contain starch that can dull the sauce. A few minutes with a grater pay off fast.
Keep dairy near room temp before mixing. Cold milk can tighten the custard and slow the bake. A gentle start gives a smooth finish.
Want a southern mac and cheese recipe baked to a golden lid. Use that panko mix or leave the top bare for a softer feel. Both paths taste great.
6) Making Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe Ahead of Time
I often assemble the pan in the morning. Cover and chill. Near dinner I let it sit on the counter for twenty minutes then bake.
If the custard looks thick add a splash of milk before it goes in the oven. An oven baked mac and cheese holds well for company and stays friendly on a buffet.
For a party I bake until just set then cool and chill. Before guests arrive I warm the pan until hot and bubbly. The texture stays creamy and the top fresh.
7) Storing Leftover Baked Mac And Cheese
Cool leftovers then pack into lidded containers. Refrigerate for three to four days. The sauce stays smooth and the noodles hold their bite.
Reheat in a small baking dish covered at three hundred until warm. Add a spoon of milk if the edges seem tight. The flavor deepens with time.
For lunch boxes I warm a square and pack it with broccoli. Fans of broccoli mac and cheese recipe will smile here. It brings color and crunch.
8) Try these pasta dishes next
9) Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe Elena Cooks Copycat Mary Mac Style
Ingredients
Pasta And Dairy
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup American cheese, shredded or diced
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Optional Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
Instructions
Prep
- Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cook elbow macaroni in salted water two minutes shy of package time. Drain and toss with butter.
Sauce And Mix
- Whisk whole milk, evaporated milk, and eggs in a large bowl until smooth.
- Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, dry mustard, and garlic powder.
- Fold in half of the cheddar, all of the American cheese, and half of the Colby Jack.
Assemble And Bake
- Combine pasta with the milk and cheese mixture. Pour into the prepared dish.
- Top with the remaining cheddar and Colby Jack.
- For a crunchy lid, mix panko with melted butter and Parmesan and scatter over the top.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes until the edges bubble and the center sets. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
10) Nutrition
The bake cuts into eight to ten squares. A typical square offers about four hundred eighty five calories with a balance of protein fat and carbs. Sodium lands near seven hundred milligrams and sugar stays low.
For lighter plates use two percent milk and reduce butter by one tablespoon. Swap part of the cheddar for low moisture part skim mozzarella to keep melt and trim richness.
Fans who track macros can expect around twenty two grams of protein per serving. Add a green salad for crunch and finish the meal on a bright note.
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