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Baked Mac and Cheese
My kids like Kraft macaroni and cheese. There, I said it. I haven’t made it in a long time although, like most of us, I have succumbed to the call of the blue box at times. But when they were little and ate it at a friend’s house I definitely get to hear about it later: “Kiefer gets to have the macaroni and cheese in the box every night. Why can’t we ever have that?”
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
But now (and also then) they are willing to shovel in this homemade version at a pretty fast clip — and we can pronounce all of the ingredients. Laced with a blend of cheeses and enriched with milk and cream, people young and old tend to sigh with pleasure while looking at the browned panko (Japanese bread crumbs, easily available in supermarkets and online) crust sitting atop a bubbling casserole of pasta nestled in a sauce fragrant with a mixture of cheeses.
What Kinds of Pasta Can Go in Mac and Cheese?
Although we call it macaroni and cheese, the actual pasta shape is up for grabs. I like to use a short chunky shape, and change up the options. Cavatappi, rotini, ziti, penne, small chells, campanelle, and of course – macaroni! I like the use macaroni with little ridges on them, which grabs the sauce nicely. And pasta that has a bumpy or ridged texture is extra good. Look for packaging that says “rigate” (ridged) if you’re not sure, but don’t worry: smooth pasta will be just fine.
What Cheese to Use in Macaroni and Cheese
Some good basic cheeses to start with are sharp or extra sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Swiss, Manchego, and fontina, or any combination of these. You can also use bits of softer cheeses, like Brie or fresh, mild goat cheese if you have some small pieces lingering about.
Remove all rinds you wouldn’t want to see floating around in your mac and cheese and unless you really know your audience, stay away from very potent cheeses like blue cheese or smoked cheese or anything particularly stinky.
I keep changing up the cheese in this dish, depending on what I have on hand, and so my mac and cheese never tastes the same twice, which I find part of the thrill.
My lovely dish-washing husband, however, has been known to look sadly at the last few globs on the plates and say wistfully, “Well, we’ll never eat that again,” already mourning the delicious, undocumented combination of cheeses that has come and gone.
The Dijon mustard and red pepper flakes give the macaroni and cheese a little kick, a little edge, and save the dish from being too intensively rich and creamy (not that there’s anything wrong with that). And, no, this isn’t low fat. Thanks for asking.
The real deal, cheesy and rich, and baked with a gorgeous crunchy topping.
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Crunchy Panko Topping for Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A combination of melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and panko bread crumbs makes an irresistible topping for baked mac and cheese. It takes only 3 minutes to pull together, and it elevates this creamy dish with a fabulous contrast in texture.
Make Ahead Macaroni and Cheese
You can prepare the macaroni and cheese up to the point of baking and let it sit at room temperature for up to two hours. If you want it to keep longer, you can refrigerate it for up to one day. Either let the macaroni and cheese come to room temperature before baking or, if you’re taking it straight from the refrigerator, add about fifteen minutes to the baking time.
Also, you can wrap the macaroni and cheese very well with aluminum foil and freeze it for up to three months. Either defrost it in the fridge (this takes about twenty-four hours), or add about thirty minutes to the baking time— leave the foil on the casserole for the first thirty minutes of baking so the top doesn’t get too brown.
No matter what, if you’re going to refrigerate or freeze the dish before baking, hold off on the panko topping. It’s best if you add it just before baking.
What the Kids Can Do
Kids can grate cheeses, if they are old enough to handle a grater. They can measure all of the ingredients and mix together the panko topping. If they can be safely near a hot stove they can help stir together the sauce. And they can sprinkle the crumb topping over the casserole.
Other Mac and Cheese Recipes:
More recipes for macaroni and cheese? Ok.
- Stovetop Macaroni and Four Cheeses
- Creamy Four-Cheese Penne Rigate
- Ultimate Creamy Baked Wisconsin Macaroni and Cheese
- One Skillet (Carroty) Macaroni and Cheese
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Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Panko Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cups panko Japanese bread crumbs, see Note
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pasta and Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter plus butter for greasing the baking dish(es)
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 4 ½ cups 2-percent or whole milk however indulgent you’re feeling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 5 cups coarsely grated flavorful cheese such as sharp cheddar or Gruyère, or a mix (see Note)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more to taste
- 1 ½ packages (24 ounces) dried cavatelli ziti, penne, or any short pasta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish (or use 2 smaller baking dishes, or one smaller baking dish and some individual ramekins; see the Fork in the Road, opposite page).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and let the water return to a boil.
- Meanwhile, make the panko topping: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or place it in a medium-size microwave-safe dish and heat it in a microwave oven until melted, 15 seconds. Add the panko and the Parmesan and stir until well combined. Set the panko topping aside.
- Make the pasta and sauce: Melt the butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook, stirring, until the flour is blond in color, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high and let come to a simmer, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, grated cheese, Parmesan, mustard, salt, and black pepper, stirring until everything is smooth. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and/or black pepper as necessary.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it until barely al dente (follow the package directions but stop a minute or two before the pasta is completely tender). Set aside 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Whisk the reserved pasta cooking water into the cheese sauce, combining it thoroughly. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. There will appear to be a lot of sauce. Some of it will be absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, and in my book saucy is better than dry.
- You can continue with Step 8 or see the Fork in the Road suggestion on preparing the mac and cheese for kids below.
- Sprinkle the panko topping evenly over the pasta and bake it until golden and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Make Ahead
You can prepare the macaroni and cheese up to the point of baking and let it sit at room temperature for up to two hours. If you want it to keep longer, you can refrigerate it for up to one day. Either let the macaroni and cheese come to room temperature before baking or, if you’re taking it straight from the refrigerator, add about fifteen minutes to the baking time. Also, you can wrap the macaroni and cheese very well with aluminum foil and freeze it for up to three months. Either defrost it in the fridge (this takes about twenty-four hours), or add about thirty minutes to the baking time— leave the foil on the casserole for the first thirty minutes of baking so the top doesn’t get too brown. No matter what, if you’re going to refrigerate or freeze the dish before baking, hold off on the panko topping. It’s best if you add it just before baking.What the Kids Can Do
Kids can grate cheeses, if they are old enough to handle a grater. They can measure all of the ingredients and mix together the panko topping. If they can be safely near a hot stove they can help stir together the sauce. And they can sprinkle the crumb topping over the casserole.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi Katie, I picked up your book from a junior high book fair, and it has been a hit with my family. I’m working my way through it and each recipe I’ve tried has been excellent. My hubby says this mac n cheese is the best he’s ever had. So thanks for the great recipes! I used a blend of pre-shredded Mexican blend cheese, and it worked great. I also halved the recipe for my family of four, and it filled an entire large casserole dish, and we ended up with half the pan left, even though everyone had second helpings. Makes a lot!
It does make a lot! And it’s a hearty little dish, isn’t it? I am so happy that you are enjoying the book — thanks for writing.
HELLO KATIE, JUST WANTED KNOW IF THIS MAC & CHEESE CAN
BE COOKED IN THE CROCK POT.
THANK YOU DORIS
I have never tried it, but I am sure it could! Not sure how the panko topping will fare – I would try adding that towards the end of the cooking time. If you do try it, please let me know how it turns out!