Ingredients for Absolutely The Best Baked Mac And Cheese
- 1 pound Small Elbow Macaroni
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted Butter
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Dry Mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Red Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 cups Fat Free Half And Half
- 4 cups shredded Light Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Buttered Bread Crumb
- Nonstick Cooking Spray, for greasing
Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion
Missing an ingredient for this Absolutely The Best Baked Mac And Cheese? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.
How to Make Absolutely The Best Baked Mac And Cheese
- Cook 1 pound cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter.
- Whisk in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour until a smooth paste forms, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
- Gradually whisk in 4 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and simmers.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Add 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni and stir gently to coat evenly.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Top with 1/2 cup bread crumbs.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
32 g
Sugar
24g
Fat
41g
Carbs
14g
