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A spoonful of baked macaroni and cheese.

Baked Mac and Cheese 

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  • Author: The Southern Spoonful
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 - 10 servings 1x

Description

Baked Mac and Cheese is a comforting classic dish with a creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb. Cavatappi pasta (or your favorite pasta)
  • 1 quart of whole milk
  • 6 Tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups of Gruyère cheese
  • 4 cups sharp white cheddar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder
  • 1 Tablespoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish with Avocado Oil or cooking spray. 
  2. Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, cooking slightly less than recommended. The pasta will continue to cook once in the oven. Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, heat the milk on low; do not bring it to a boil. In another saucepan, melt the butter on low. Once melted, add the flour. Using a whisk, combine the butter and flour until smooth. Add your spices (Mustard, Salt, Nutmeg, and Cayenne Pepper). Whisk the spices into the butter and flour mixture until well combined and smooth. Add the warmed milk to the butter-flour mixture and whisk until smooth. Remove the pot from the heat, and add your shredded cheese. Stir until well combined.
  4. Combine the Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Pour the cooked cheese sauce over the Elbow Macaroni, stirring until well combined. 
  5. Pour the Pasta into a Baking Dish: Spoon your macaroni and cheese into a large, well-greased baking dish (11 x 13).
  6. Bake: Bake 20-25 minutes until the top is lightly brown and the macaroni and cheese is bubbly.