Best Baked Macaroni And Cheese Ever Recipe

Get ready to experience macaroni and cheese like never before! This recipe, perfected after countless experiments, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Creamy, cheesy, and with a perfectly golden crust, it's the ultimate comfort food. Each bite is a burst of cheesy goodness – prepare for rave reviews! (Serves 4)

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Calories 669.6 kcal
Protein 60g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Best Baked Macaroni And Cheese Ever

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

Ingredients for Best Baked Macaroni And Cheese Ever

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons butter, for topping
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 8 ounces cheese spread (such as Velveeta), cubed
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Seasoning Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Dry Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Velveeta Cheese
  • American Cheese
  • Breadcrumbs

How to Make Best Baked Macaroni And Cheese Ever

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Whisk in flour until smooth and bubbly (about 1 minute).
  5. Gradually whisk in evaporated milk until smooth.
  6. Stir in cubed cheese spread, pepper, mustard, seasoned salt, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened (about 5 minutes).
  7. Reduce heat to low. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and velveeta until melted and smooth.
  8. Add cooked macaroni and stir until evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
  9. Pour macaroni and cheese into a greased 8x8 inch or 9x13 inch baking dish.
  10. Arrange cheese slices on top. Sprinkle with cracker crumbs and dot with butter.
  11. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
  12. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Want to unlock deeper, more complex flavors? Try toasting your whole spices before grinding them, or blooming ground spices in a little warm oil to enhance their aroma. Deglazing your pan with a bit of stock, wine, or even water after browning ingredients can capture those tasty caramelized bits, adding richness to your dish.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

58 g

Sugar

4g

Fat

125g

Carbs

15g