Easy Baked Macaroni Cheese | Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe | Mac and Cheese

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Lower calorie option or more budget-friendly.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Healthier fat source or cheaper alternative.

Cut 2 cups of white bread into cubes and mix with 2 tablespoons of melted butter; keep aside.

Boil water and add 1 teaspoon of salt; once boiling, add 500 grams of macaroni and stir.

Cook macaroni until slightly undercooked; drain and set aside.

In a large heavy bottom pan, melt ⅓ cup (60 grams) of butter over medium heat.

Add ½ cup of plain flour (maida) to the melted butter and stir well.

Gradually add 4½ cups of hot whole milk while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

Increase heat to medium and cook the sauce until it thickens, ensuring it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a mark when you run your finger through it.

Season the sauce with 1½ teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of paprika, and ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg; mix well.

Add 1 cup of grated medium cheddar cheese and 1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted and smooth.

Quickly add the slightly undercooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well.

In a large baking dish (around 10 inch x 13 inch), layer the macaroni mixture and top with ½ cup of grated medium cheddar cheese, ½ cup of grated mozzarella cheese, and optionally sprinkle red chili flakes to taste.

Top with buttered breadcrumbs.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown on top, turning halfway through for even baking.

Let it rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens