Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Courtesy of thecountrycontessa.com
Recipe courtesy of Rachel Ballard

Happy 4th Friends,

Baked macaroni and cheese doesn’t have to be complicated with layers of ingredients to be the soul-warming food you crave. This version has pleased crowds, small families, kids and picky eaters alike–give it a try and you’ll see why.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 335 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni shells or cavatappi
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 cups milk not skim
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
• 2 cups of shredded cheese I like sharp cheddar and Swiss

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   
   
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil; add a generous sprinkling of salt the pasta.
   
   
3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a skillet or pot large enough to hold the pasta when it's done.
   
   
4. Add the flour and stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned; 1-2 minutes.
   
   
5. Add the milk and whisk to remove any lumps and add the salt and pepper.
   
   
6. Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble. About 6 minutes.
   
   
7. Stir in the cheese and whisk until smooth and melted. Turn off the heat.
   
   
8. When the pasta is almost done but still firm, drain it and add to the sauce.
   
   
9. Stir the pasta into the sauce and bake in a greased 2 quart dish (or an 8x8 pan works pretty well) 20-25 minutes until browned and bubbly. You can also skip baking it if you want it super creamy and just put it under the broiler to brown the top (keep an eye on it) and then serve.

Recipe Notes

The thinner the dish, the less the bake time. I used a cast iron skillet and mine was done in 25 minutes. A thicker dish like a 2 quart casserole will take 40 minutes.

A traditional mac and cheese you can bake with your favorite cheeses, veggies or meats for a one-dish wonder.

Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne