Description

This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a classic comfort food dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It features a rich and creamy cheese sauce with a hint of spice, baked to golden perfection with a generous topping of extra sharp cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Units Scale

16 ounces elbow macaroni
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 1/2 cups 2% milk
8 ounces medium cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

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Instructions

Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cook macaroni in boiling salted water for 8-9 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make cheese sauce: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, white pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk, 1/2 cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
Add cheese: Stir in medium cheddar cheese and half of the extra sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in the cooked macaroni.
Bake: Pour mixture into a greased 3-quart baking dish. Top with remaining extra sharp cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream.
You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness.
For a different flavor, try using different types of cheese, such as Gruyère or Fontina.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 510kcal
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 80mg