Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe THROWBACK How to make Mac and Cheese Recipe

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories while processed cheese is more affordable.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + powdered milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while the powdered milk is a cost-effective alternative.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories, while pecorino is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier for cooking, while margarine is a cheaper fat option.

Melt 4 ounces of butter in a pot.

Add 1/2 cup of flour to the melted butter to make a roux.

Stir the roux until it is well combined and begins to thicken.

Gradually add 1/2 gallon of cold whole milk to the roux while whisking to avoid lumps.

Continue to stir until the sauce thickens.

Add 1 teaspoon of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of salt to the sauce.

Mix in 3 cups of shredded cheese (Colby, mild cheddar, extra sharp cheddar) until melted and smooth.

Cook 1 pound of elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl.

In a food processor, blend 5 pieces of bread to make fresh breadcrumbs.

In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with 4 ounces of melted butter and 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.

Spread the breadcrumb mixture over the macaroni and cheese in a baking dish.

Bake in the oven at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens