Ingredients for Baked Macaroni Cheese
- 5 cups Milk
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
- 1 cup shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Red Pepper (Cayenne)
- 1 pound Elbow Macaroni
- 4 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion
Missing an ingredient for this Baked Macaroni 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 Baked Macaroni Cheese
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
- Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly, to create a roux.
- Microwave milk for 1 1/2 minutes on high to warm it slightly.
- Gradually whisk warm milk into the roux, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Stir in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
- Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
23 g
Sugar
3g
Fat
71g
Carbs
12g
