Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
This easy baked mac and cheese recipe is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a comforting family dinner. Made with cheddar, mozzarella, and a smooth homemade cheese sauce, it bakes until golden and bubbly for a simple and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 200 g macaroni
- 60 g Cheddar cheese grated
- 60 g Mozzarella cheese grated
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 500 ml whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add 7 oz (200 g) macaroni and cook until al dente, about 6–7 minutes. Do not overcook.
- In a frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Slowly add 2 cups (500 ml) of milk, stirring continuously so the sauce stays smooth. Let it cook for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add ¾ of the grated cheese to the sauce and stir until melted. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg.
- Drain the macaroni and mix it into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 360°F / 180°C for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Notes
Grate the Cheese Fresh: I like to grate the cheddar and mozzarella myself because freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly into the sauce.
Cook the Sauce Slowly: The sauce stays much silkier when I keep the heat moderate while cooking the butter, flour, and milk.
Cook Pasta Just to Al Dente: I stop cooking the macaroni as soon as it is tender because it will keep cooking in the oven.
Watch the Final Bake: The top turns nicely golden when I keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking.
Let It Rest Briefly: I like to let the mac and cheese sit for about 5 minutes before serving so the sauce settles and the portions hold together better.
Nutrition
Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 2615mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 636IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 355mg | Iron: 1mg