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Macaroni and Cheese in a casserole dish
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Baked Macaroni And Cheese

The best ever Baked Macaroni And Cheese-this recipe has a rich, velvety cream sauce, the perfect combo of cheese, and a luscious buttery crumb topping!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword How Do I Make Macaroni and Cheese, How To Make Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 931kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter~ divided
  • 2 cups coarse dry bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cups Parmesan Cheese Grated
  • 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
  • 5 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded~divided
  • 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded~divided
  • 2 cups gruyere,  shredded~divided
  • 1 pound dried elbow pasta

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and dried thyme leaves in a medium bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread mixture, and toss; set breadcrumbs aside.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, heat milk.
  • Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
  • While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
  • Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese,1 1/2 cups Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere; set cheese sauce aside.
  • Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.
  • Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 cup Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere, and breadcrumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8 of the recipe | Calories: 931kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 1476mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1590IU | Calcium: 953mg | Iron: 3.1mg