The Macaroni and Cheese made from starch is billion times better than a box. I love Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese. It is also American favorite comfort food. The Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is cheesy, creamy and the baked crust is everything.
I start with a classic French cheesy sauce béchamel made from a white roux (butter and flour) and milk. Next I add part of the cheese, and let it melt. Remember, it’s called Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese doesn’t be afraid of using cheese (Sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, jack cheese…). I use cheddar cheese. It is buttery and milky tasting, mild and salty. And finally, I add the pre-cooked macaroni, top it with cheese and baked.
Why bake the Macaroni and Cheese in the oven?
You don’t have to bake the Macaroni and Cheese in the oven, but how else are you going to get the glorious bubbly cheesy crust? I don’t know about you, but the golden brown and crunchy top my favorite part!
How to top baked Macaroni and Cheese?
- Grated cheese
- Buttered panko breadcrumbs with some herbs
- Bacon pieces and panko breadcrumb
Ingredients
- 16 ounces macaroni (Precooked) – Boil a large pot of salt water and add the pasta. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and reserve the pasta. – Don’t rinse the pasta.
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup flour
- 1 tsp bouillon cube
- ½ tsp salt
- 3½ cups milk
- 16 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
How do You Make Macaroni and Cheese?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Make roux:
In a heavy-bottomed large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter, whisking until smooth. Stir constantly, until the paste cooks and bubbles a bit, but don’t let it brown — about 2 minutes.
Make sauce bechamel:
Stir in the milk ½ cup at a time ( feel free to eyeball it ), only adding the next half cup once the previous one has been incorporated entirely. Continue to stir as the sauce thickens. Bring it to a boil.
Melt in the cheese:
Add a 2/3 cheddar cheese, salt, cube, stir into the milk/flour sauce until melted. Reduce heat to low and whisk until melted.
Toss pasta with cheese sauce:
Remove saucepan from heat, stir in the macaroni. Toss the macaroni with cheese sauce
Pour into a 2 quart baking dish.
Top with cheese and bake:
Top with the remaining extra cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes.
Serve hot!
Tip to make the best Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese can be made ahead: After transferring the Macaroni and Cheese (not baked) in the pan, top it with the cheese and covering it with some aluminum foil. Refrigerate it for a day or 2. When you’re ready to cook the Macaroni and Cheese, let it sit at room temperature for 30 mins and bake for 25-35 minutes.
What cheese can be used in the Macaroni and Cheese?
Use a blend of cheese make the Macaroni and Cheese taste better awesome. Sometimes the pre shredded cheese might make the sauce grainy.
- Cheddar cheese
- Colby cheese
- Muenster cheese
- Gruyere cheese
- Mozzarella cheese