Homemade baked macaroni and cheese is an all-time favorite, and this recipe takes it up a notch with a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s simply irresistible. Whether it’s a family dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ½ cups light cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (half American, half cheddar)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Croissant crumbs for topping
Instructions:
- Cook Macaroni: Begin by cooking the 8 ounces of elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse it well with hot water and set it aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in the ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and stir continuously until the mixture becomes bubbly and fragrant.
- Add Milk and Cream: Gradually pour in the 1 cup of milk and 1 ½ cups of light cream, all while whisking constantly. This will create the creamy base for your sauce. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and mustard, stirring well to combine.
- Thicken the Sauce: Continue to cook and whisk the sauce until it thickens. This should take approximately 5 minutes, and you’ll notice it becoming smooth and velvety.
- Stir in Cheese: Add the magic ingredient – 3 cups of shredded cheese. For the best flavor, use a combination of half American and half cheddar. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is rich and cheesy.
- Combine with Macaroni: Gently blend the cooked macaroni into the cheesy sauce until it’s fully coated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top with Butter and Croissant Crumbs: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the top of your dish, and then generously sprinkle croissant crumbs for that delightful crunch.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
- Serve Hot: Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Your homemade baked macaroni and cheese is ready to delight your taste buds.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fat: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
It’s worth noting that these nutrition figures are general approximations and can differ based on the brands of ingredients and serving sizes you choose.
Cooking Tips:
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations to create unique variations of this classic dish.
- Make sure to cook the macaroni until it’s al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.