Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese is a cheesy, gooey delicious pasta made by cooking pasta first then tossing it in a cheesy sauce and finally baking it with cheese, breadcrumbs. Baked Mac and Cheese could also be made in stovetop with equal taste & flavours. How to make Baked Mac and Cheese Pasta Recipe is explained here with step by step pictures and video for stove top version and details for baked version.

Baked Mac and Cheese is our family favourite loved by both the kids and hubby. When I was browsing through pasta recipes, I found this Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe quite interesting since then this has been in our regular menu.

About Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is made by first cooking pasta then tossing it a rich creamy cheesy sauce finally layered in a baking tray topped with cheese and breadcrumbs and baked. We totally loved it as it had a crusty top from the breadcrumbs with a soft cheesy pasta…total yum.

I would recommend having it as a brunch (skip a  meal) so that you dont feel guilty of having the cheesy pasta. But guess a day of cheesy indulgence is ok to go what say?! I have given notes for stove top version also for those who want to make it without a oven.

Baked Mac and Cheese is a cheesy goodness perfect for a special dinner or holiday. There are many Mac and Cheese recipes out there but this one is our family favourite. First when I tried I used a combination of regular cheddar cheese and mozarella cheese. But now when I wanted to shoot a video, I wanted to create a classic recipe which uses orange cheddar cheese as main ingredient. And you know it isn’t easy to find this orange cheddar cheese here in Coimbatore but luckily one day hubby found it at Nilgiris and there was no looking back since then.

Breadcrumbs

You can regular breadcrumbs too but panko breadcrumbs works best. This is before and after roasting the breadcrumbs.

Cheese to use

Cheddar cheese is the main ingredient here so you can either use regular white cheddar cheese or orange cheddar cheese. The other cheese can be a combination of either mozarella or processed or gouda cheese.

Baked vs StoveTop

Baked Mac and Cheese has a crusted crispy top with a goey mac and cheese inside. With Stovetop version you will miss the crusty top otherwise taste will be the same.

More pasta recipes

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

• Macaroni Pasta – Macaroni Pasta variety is preferred for this recipe and I would suggest to stick with it.
• Milk – Use full fat cream milk for a creamy rich sauce.
• Cheese – Cheddar cheese is the main ingredient here, in addition you can add processed or mozarella cheese.
• Flour – Usually maida is used but you can replace it with wheat flour too.
• Breadcrumbs – I used panko breadcrumbs which works best however you can use regular breadcrumbs too.
• Spices – Nutmeg, paprika and pepper powder are used here.

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Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe Step by Step

1.Bring 4 cups water to boil in a large pot. Get ready with all other ingredients.When water starts to boil add 1 teaspoon olive oil along with salt.

2. Let it boil well.

3.Add 1 heaped cup macaroni pasta variety.

4.Give a quick mix.

5.Cook until fork tender. It may take 5-6 mins depending upon the pasta variety and size. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooked water for later use.

6.Drain water and Set aside.

7.Rinse it with cold water to prevent further cooking. Set it aside.

8.Keep the flame in low. Now to a heavy bottomed pot add 2 tablespoon butter, let it melt slightly – give a quick whisk.

9.Add 2 tablespoon maida.

10.Whisk quickly until no dry flour is seen.

11.Immediately add 2 cups milk(boiled, cooled).

12.Keep whisking and stirring. Once it starts to thicken switch to a spatula.

13.Keep stirring continuously to avoid lumps.In few minutes it turns slightly thick coating the laddle.

14.Now add salt to taste, 1/4 teaspoon pepper powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder and a pinch of nutmeg powder.

15.Mix it well.

16.Now add grated 1 cup orange cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup processed or mozarella cheese – I used processed cheese.

17.Whisk well until cheese melts and it is smooth and creamy.

18.Add cooked macaroni pasta.

19.Mix it well. Let it be goey only then while baking it will not get dried up.

20.Mac and Cheese is ready to serve as such too. But we are making baked version so lets proceed to below steps.

21.See how creamy and goey it is. Set aside.

Preheat oven at 190 deg C for 10 mins.

22.To a small pan add 2 tablespoon butter add 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs.

23.Toast it until it turns golden bown in color.Set aside.

24.Now to a baking tray first spoon the prepared mac and cheese.

25.Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs.

26.Add 1/4 cup cheddar cheese.

27.Add 2 tablespoon regular processed cheese.

28.Baked in preheated oven at 190 deg C for 30 mins. Baked Mac and Cheese is ready to serve!

For stove top version add prepared mac and cheese in flame safe bowl then add the toasted breadcrumb, cheese topping and cook in lowest flame for 10 mins until cheese melts.

Baked Mac and Cheese is ready!

Expert Tips

• Macaroni pasta is best suited for this recipe.
• You can even use ramekins to bake for individual serving.I baked in 3 small oven proof trays.
• Use boiled warm milk, I would not recommend using raw milk.
• If you do no have panko breadcrumbs you can use regular breadcrumbs too.
• Simmer and then add cheese. Whisk continously when adding milk to avoid lumps.

Serving & Storing Suggestion

Serve it hot with toasted bread or it tastes great as such too. I wouldn’t recommend to store as it tastes great when hot also the consistency of mac and cheese changes when cooled or stored. So always Serve hot!

FAQS

1.What is the best cheese to use for Mac and Cheese?

Cheddar cheese is a must for this recipe. It is ok to use yellow cheddar cheese if you don’t get orange cheddar cheese. In addition use a combination of gowda cheese, mozarella cheese and processed cheese.

2.I dont have a oven, Can I make this Mac and Cheese?

Yes definitely. You can make Mac and Cheese as mentioned then finally add the topping and cook in stovetop for 10 mins. or until the cheese melts.