Cheesy Baked Mac & Cheese – A Crowd Favorite from My Cookbook!

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories while processed cheese is often less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: string cheese

Part-skim mozzarella is lower in fat, while string cheese can be a more affordable option.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Romano cheese

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free alternative, while Romano is typically less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is a healthier fat, while margarine can be a cheaper substitute.

Butter the bottom and sides of a nine by 13 casserole dish.

Boil a pot of water and add the 1 pound of elbow macaroni, cooking until al dente according to package instructions.

Stir the pasta occasionally to prevent sticking.

Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.

Drain the pasta and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, stirring to combine.

In the same pot, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

Add 1/3 cup of flour to the melted butter and whisk until lightly golden, about 2 minutes.

Slowly stream in 3 cups of whole milk while whisking continuously.

Add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water, whisking until creamy and smooth.

Season the sauce with paprika, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper, then reduce heat to a simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened to a light gravy consistency.

Add 3 cups of the cheese mixture to the sauce, stirring until melted, then add another 3 cups and stir until blended.

Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until coated, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the mac and cheese into the buttered casserole dish and spread evenly.

Top with the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Optionally, broil for the last 2-3 minutes for a golden brown topping, watching closely to prevent burning.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens