Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Written by on in Homemade Not Storebought, Menu Planning, Recipes

I’m not going to lie – I have a pretty tragic love/hate relationship with this recipe.  Tonight I finally made a version that was pretty good.  I love the creaminess of this one and the bread crumbs on top add a little bit of texture and tastiness that makes a big difference.

I use White American Deli cheese.  I have the deli slice it and i tear it up into pieces as I add it to the sauce.  If you can get a block and shred it, go for it.  White american melts nicer than yellow in my opinion – it doesn’t look so “neon” yellow either.

You can mix up the cheeses, but I found this combination to be the best for taste and melting.  I also did something weird with my white sauce, bear with me – it worked.

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Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Author Carrie Hill

Ingredients

  • 1/4 C Softened butter
  • 1 Tbsp Water
  • 1/4 C. Flour
  • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/3 Lb Sliced White American Cheese
  • 2/3 C. Shredded White Kerry Gold Aged Cheddar Cheese
  • 2 Cups Milk
  • 32 Oz Elbow Macaroni - uncooked
  • 1/4 C. Regular or Panko Bread Crumbs
  • Olive Oil for Drizzling

Instructions

  1. Bring 6-7 Cups of water to a boil and salt liberally, add in the dried pasta and cook until al dente - you are going to bake this and the pasta will cook a little more.
  2. After the pasta is done, drain and set aside. In the same large pot you cooked the pasta in, melt the butter and add the 1 Tbsp of water. When the butter is completely melted whisk in the flour this will be a bit loose - let it bubble together for about 2 minutes.
  3. Slowly whisk in the milk and the Garlic Powder and bring back up to a simmer. When the sauce coats the back of a spoon and allows you to draw a line across it without it filling in - it's ready for the cheese.
  4. Tear up the american cheese and add it to the sauce - trade in your whisk for a wooden spoon at this time. Then add in the shredded cheddar and stir frequently until all of the cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened.
  5. Taste for seasoning - salt is likely not needed with all of the cheese - but you might like some pepper or a bit more garlic powder.
  6. Add in the pasta and mix well. Transfer to a baking dish that was sprayed with nonstick spray.
  7. Top with bread crumbs - you can use regular or Panko, whichever you like
  8. Drizzle lightly with olive oil
  9. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.