Best Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
Introduction
Mac and cheese is one of the most popular comfort foods in the world. It's a classic dish that is enjoyed by adults and children alike. It's easy to make, but it can also be hard to make it just right. You want the pasta to be cooked perfectly, the cheese to be melted and gooey, and the sauce to be creamy and flavorful. If you're looking for the best baked mac and cheese recipe, you've come to the right place. We've put together a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe that will have you and your family coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need: 2 cups of macaroni, 2 cups of shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of both), 1/2 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 cup of bread crumbs. For best results, use a high-quality cheese and a good brand of macaroni.
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Boil the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain the cooked macaroni and transfer it to the greased baking dish.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly add the milk while stirring. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens. Add the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese.
4. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni in the baking dish and stir to combine. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Serve hot.
Tips & Tricks
To make the mac and cheese extra creamy, you can add 1/2 cup of cream cheese to the cheese sauce. To make it extra cheesy, you can add an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. For a little kick, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce. To make the mac and cheese even more flavorful, you can add 1/2 cup of cooked bacon to the cheese sauce. You can also top the mac and cheese with cooked diced chicken or chopped broccoli. To make the mac and cheese extra crispy, you can sprinkle additional bread crumbs over the top before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Baked mac and cheese is perfect served as a side dish with roasted chicken or grilled steak. It's also great served as a main dish with a simple garden salad. For a fun twist, you can layer the mac and cheese with cooked hamburger, onion, and bell pepper for a delicious chili mac. You can even top the mac and cheese with crushed potato chips for a tasty and crunchy topping.
Conclusion
This easy and delicious baked mac and cheese is sure to become a family favorite. It's creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. It's a great side dish for any meal, or you can serve it as a main dish for a quick and easy dinner. With a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious meal that everyone will love. So, go ahead and give it a try - you won't be disappointed.