What's The Best Cheese To Use For Baked Mac And Cheese

Plus cream cheese tends to cost less than cheddar, which means you can get away with using a little less cheddar than in most mac and cheese recipes. Note that I said SHARP cheddar cheese – it’s another way to save on cheese (and it tastes better).

The ultimate classic Baked Mac and Cheese, with an insane cheesy sauce and topped with an irresistible golden, buttery breadcrumb topping.

Prepare yourself for the heart-stopping moment in the recipe video when I pull this bubbling beauty out of the oven…..and the stretchy cheese shot!

Baked Mac and Cheese

“Mac and Cheese should always have a crunchy top!” she declared, as explanation for why she wouldn’t be trying my Stove-Top Mac and Cheese.

I grinned, and retorted “Geez, you can never please everyone!!!” Then promised that I’d share a crunchy topped Mac and Cheese as soon as an “acceptable” period of time had passed.

And so to the lady who declared that Mac and Cheese must always have a crunchy top – here is my Baked Macaroni and Cheese, with plenty of crunchy topping!!!

Mac and Cheese: The ultimate comfort food!

I don’t want to be morbid, but if I had to choose a Last Meal, this Baked Mac and Cheese may possibly be it. I know, I know, it’s not very Japanese or Aussie of me to say that. I should probably say sushi or sausage rolls or roast lamb.

Put me in a room with Mac and Cheese, and neither of us stand a chance. Said Mac and Cheese would be ravaged.

And of all the Mac and Cheeses in the world, this is my very favourite.

About this Macaroni and Cheese

This is not an insanely fully loaded Mac and Cheese. I know you’ll see some with many types of cheeses and made really rich with cream. Topped with bacon, with lobster and crab.

This is not one of those versions. But if you want a buttery, cheesy, creamy Macaroni and Cheese with perfectly cooked macaroni, plenty of sauce and a crunchy buttery top, this is a Mac and Cheese for you. ❤

My GOLD Tips for a really good Mac and Cheese

Freshly grated cheese – don’t use pre shredded. They have anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy;
No bloated overcooked pasta – Cool macaroni slightly and lightly coat in butter. This stops the macaroni from absorbing more liquid while baking, resulting in bloated overcooked pasta (hot pasta absorbs liquid faster, butter creates thin film of protection);
Stir constantly once you add the milk to ensure your sauce is silky smooth;
Plenty of sauce – Because I like my Mac and Cheese saucy, not dried up so you can cut it like cake!
Can you make Mac and Cheese ahead of time? Most recipes are not suitable for making ahead, but this recipe is! The best way is to cool pasta then toss with sauce and adding breadcrumb topping. Cool, refrigerate or freeze then bake on the day of.
How long can Mac and Cheese stay in the fridge? This Macaroni and Cheese recipe is good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Most will not keep well because there’s not enough sauce so it gets absorbed by the pasta and you’re left with dry, sauceless pasta.
Can you freeze Mac and Cheese? Yes! Assemble, cool, do not bake, just freeze it. Thaw then on the day of, bake per the recipe.
What else can I put in Mac and Cheese? This recipe is great as it is, but there’s tons of add-in options. Add shredded chicken, sautéed onion and bell peppers/capsicum, bacon, hot sauce (for heat!), dried herbs of choice

Why you need this Mac and Cheese in your life

There are a couple of things in this recipe that are a bit different to other Macaroni and Cheese recipes.

No bloated, overcooked pasta – being of Asian background, I have a huge hang up about soggy, overcooked rice. And this snobbery extends to pasta. So I cool the macaroni slightly (hot pasta absorbs liquid far more easily) and lightly coat the macaroni in butter. This prevents the macaroni from absorbing more liquid as it bakes, resulting in bloated overcooked pasta.
More sauce – I am pretty sure the amount of sauce I make is more than most recipes. Simply because I don’t like Mac and Cheese where there’s basically no sauce left once it comes out of the oven. You know when it’s so dry, it can be cut like cake?

I need that cheesy sauce. If I’m going to blow my calorie count with this Baked Mac and Cheese, give me cheesy sauce worth blowing it on!

– Nagi xx

THE MAC & CHEESE COLLECTION

Baked Mac and Cheese– this recipe, huge reader favourite!
Shrimp Mac and Cheese– outrageously delicious!
Stovetop Mac and Cheese– one pot, 20 minutes

MORE FAMILY FAVOURITES

Meatloaf – a family favourite forever and ever!

Baked Mac and Cheese recipe
Watch how to make it

Baked Mac and Cheese recipe video! Don’t miss the ending when it comes out of the oven….

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Baked Mac and Cheese

Cook: 1hr

Side

Recipe VIDEO above. An epic, classic Baked Mac and Cheese! Perfect in every way, this has a glorious cheesy sauce, and a beautiful crunchy, buttery topping. A great one for serving at gatherings because it won't dry out and go stodgy because of the extra step of tossing the macaroni in butter (stops it from bloating) and because it's extra saucy out of the oven.

Ingredients

Macaroni:

250 g / 8 ozmacaroni (elbow pasta)
1 tbsp / 15 gunsalted butter (or 2 tsp oil)

Topping:

2/3 cup / 40gpanko breadcrumbs(Note 1)
2 tbsp / 30 gunsalted butter
1/4tspsalt

Sauce:

60 g / 4 tbspunsalted butter
1/3 cup / 50gflour, plain / all purpose
3 cups / 750 mlmilk, warmed (low or full fat)
2 cups / 200gshredded cheese (favourite is gruyere, next is cheddar and Colby) (Note 2)
1 cup / 100gshredded mozzarella cheese, or more other cheese of choice (Note 2)
3/4tspsalt

Seasonings (optional):

1tspgarlic powder
½tsponion powder
½tspmustard powder

Instructions

Pasta:

Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add macaroni and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute.
Drain, return pasta to pot, add butter and toss until melted. Set aside to cool while making the Sauce (Optional - Note 3).

Sauce (video is helpful):

In a large saucepan or in an ovenproof skillet (I use my 26cm/9' Lodge cast iron skillet), melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
Add about 1 cup of the milk and mix to dissolve the paste into the milk. Then add remaining milk and mix until lump free (use whisk if required).
Cook, stirring/whisking regularly, for 5 - 8 minutes until thickened to a cream consistency. When the Sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon, you should be able to draw a path with your finger.
Remove from stove, add cheese and stir - cheese doesn't need to melt.

Assembling:

Pour Sauce into pot with Macaroni. Stir quickly, then pour back into the skillet (I did this) or a baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumb topping.
Bake for 25 minutes or until top is light golden. Don't bake too long otherwise you'll bake away the Sauce!
Serve immediately! I sprinkled mine with a bit of fresh parsley.

Recipe Notes:

1. Panko breadcrumbs are larger pieces than normal breadcrumbs which creates a really nice extra crunchy topping. It can be found in the Asian section of supermarkets here in Australia. Can sub with normal breadcrumbs.2. Always grate your own cheese for cheese sauces. Store bought shredded cheese have anti caking agents which don't melt so can give the sauce a slight powdery texture.The Main Cheese (2 cups) should be a flavoured cheese. My favorites are: cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, provolone and Gruyere (I used this in the video). Gruyere is my favourite, you can use any melting cheese. I like to use mozzarella for the 2nd cheese (1 cup). It melts really well into the sauce, has that nice stretch, and isn't as oily like other cheese can tend to be. However, you can just use more of the Main Cheese. 3. Tossing the cooked pasta with butter provides a light coating that helps prevent it from bloating while baking in the sauce. This is also the reason why I let the pasta cool before mixing in with the sauce. You could just make the sauce while the pasta is cooking.4. PREPARE AHEAD: Mac and Cheese is best made fresh but if you need to make ahead, this is the best way: Cook pasta and toss in butter, cool. Make cheese sauce per recipe, then cool with LID ON (important, to avoid evaporation). Make topping. Store all components separately in the fridge until required. Mix sauce and pasta, top with topping then bake per recipe.5. REHEATING LEFTOVERS: Best way is to microwave to make warm then spray top with oil (or butter) and crisp under grill/broiler.6. Baked Mac and Cheese nutrition per serving (6 BIG servings!).

Baked Mac and Cheese

Amount Per Serving (250 g)

Fat 29g45%

Cholesterol 89mg30%

Potassium 326mg9%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 23g46%

Vitamin A 915IU18%

Calcium 449mg45%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

First published July 2017, post refreshed May 2018 - no changes to recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 250gCalories: 551kcal (28%)Carbohydrates: 48g (16%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fat: 29g (45%)Saturated Fat: 17g (106%)Cholesterol: 89mg (30%)Sodium: 847mg (37%)Potassium: 326mg (9%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 915IU (18%)Vitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 449mg (45%)Iron: 1.4mg (8%)

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