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Creamy macaroni and cheese with rich, gooey cheddar sauce, capturing the classic comfort food close-up.

Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese

If you're searching for the ultimate comfort food, look no further than baked mac and cheese. This creamy, cheesy dish is a family favorite and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a special holiday gathering.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 936 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9 x 13 baking dish

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 lb elbow pasta
  • 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder in pasta water
  • 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon in cheese roux
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 16 oz sharp cheddar
  • 6 oz smoked Gouda
  • 8 oz Gruyère

Instructions
 

  • Salt your pasta water with your chicken bouillon and cook until a few minutes short of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
    Stirring a pot of clear liquid with yellow granules using a wooden spoon, cooking on a stove.
  • Grate your cheeses.
    Grating cheddar cheese on a wooden board with a white grater.
  • Make your roux by melting your butter on medium heat. Add in your flour and make sure to mix and fully dissolve in the butter. Cook down the flour for about 2 minutes.
    Stirring flour and butter to make a smooth roux for sauce in a white pan on a wooden surface.
  • Turn heat to medium low and slowly add in your heavy cream, making sure to combine with a whisk in between.
    Pouring creamy milk into a saucepan to create a rich white sauce for cooking.
  • Add in your chicken bouillon powder, garlic powder, mustard and black pepper. Cook that for about 1 minute.
    Creamy white sauce being stirred in a pot with a wooden spoon.
  • Turn your heat to low, add half of your cheese mixture and combine until fully incorporated.
    Creamy cheese sauce being stirred in a pot with a wooden spoon, perfect for pasta or dipping.
  • Add in your pasta and take it off the heat.
    Creamy mac and cheese being stirred in a pot with a wooden spoon.
  • Layer your pasta in your baking pan and then top with cheese.
    Creamy macaroni and cheese in a dish, topped with shredded cheddar, ready to serve or bake.
  • Repeat this process until you reach the top.
    Hand scooping cheesy baked macaroni from a white casserole dish on a wooden surface.
  • Top with cheese and bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
    Close-up of shredded cheese blend in a white baking dish, ready for melting or cooking.
  • Place it in the broil setting for 4 minutes or until the top is golden.
    Golden-brown baked mac and cheese in a white casserole dish, with a crispy cheese crust.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 936kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 45gFat: 61gSaturated Fat: 37gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 1247mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1783IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 1159mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baked mac and cheese, creamy
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