How To Make Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

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How To Make Mac And Cheese

How To Make Grandmas Southern Baked Mac & Cheese | Easy Homemade Recipe | Allrecipes.com

If youve never made homemade mac and cheese before, it can seem a bit daunting. But dont worry, well break it down and take it step by step!

  • Boil the pasta, drain.
  • Make the cheese sauce by combining a fat , and starch , then whisking in the milk products.
  • Cook the sauce until its nice and thick.
  • Add in shredded cheeses, stir well.
  • Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta.
  • Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with more shredded cheese.
  • Top with the rest of the mac and cheese, top with more shredded cheese.
  • Bake and prepare to thoroughly enjoy!

How Do You Make Southern Baked Mac And Cheese The Black Way

When I think of a traditional Southern soul food meal, baked mac and cheese is one of the first things that come to mind. A delicious combo of two perfect comfort foods- macaroni and cheese can be found all over the Southern states.

Southern baked mac and cheese the Black way is still boiled in milk and then baked. But nowadays, this iconic recipe includes additional ingredients with the traditional elbow noodles, butter, and milk.

Southern mac and cheese, which originated in my home state of Virginia, is a popular recipe passed along from chefs like Hemings in the 1700s.

Its legacy continues as its passed from African-American generation to generation and handed down from chef to chef through today.

Can You Make Baked Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time

Are you wondering how to make mac and cheese ahead of time? And why would anyone want to do that anyway?

Well, the answer is yes you can for sheer convenience!

Making macaroni and cheese ahead of time can be a huge lifesaver for those with busy schedules. You could make this dish the day before, and the next day add toppings and bake.

  • Put all ingredients in a baking dish and cool completely . Place in an airtight container or tightly seal with plastic and refrigerate.
  • Let the dish sit on the countertop for 30 minutes before baking.
  • It needs to be baked at the recipe temperature for 20 minutes until hot, bubbly, and crispy.

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How To Make This Soul Food Classic

Its really easy, heres how:

  • Cook and drain elbow macaroni and place in baking dish or pan.
  • Make the custard mixture by whisking together milk, evaporated milk and eggs and some seasoning, pour mixture over macaroni.
  • Add the butter, sour cream and three cheeses and stir to combine well.
  • Top with more grated cheese and bake until bubbly and top is browned.
  • How To Take This Mac And Cheese Recipe From Side Dish To Main Dish:

    Perfect Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

    Its pretty easy to turn this baked macaroni and cheese recipe into a main dish. All you need to do is add some protein, veggies, or both!

    Favorite Baked Mac and Cheese add-ins:

    • shredded rotisserie chicken
    • steamed broccoli and crumbled bacon
    • kale or broccoli rabe
    • caramelized onions or shallots
    • cream cheese and jalapeño
    • more cheese: no more than a grated 1/2 cup of the following: fontina, Gruyere, crumbled blue cheese, or chèvre.

    Also Check: Can You Put Sour Cream In Mac And Cheese

    Perfect Mac And Cheese In 5 Steps:

  • Preheat the oven. Preheat to 325 degrees and lightly grease a square baking dish.
  • Cook the macaroni. Slightly undercook your noodles . Drain and set aside.
  • Make the roux. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Blend in the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add milk and cheese. Stir in milk and half and half, slowly, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup shredded cheese to the sauce and stir just until melted. Add the cooked macaroni noodles and toss to coat them in the sauce.
  • Pourinto baking dish. Pour half or the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle ½ cup cheese over the top. Pour remaining pasta over it and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • The Best Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

    The BEST Homemade Mac and Cheese of your LIFE. Outrageously cheesy, ultra creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. I used three different cheese and a homemade cheese sauce to take this macaroni and cheese recipe over the top. Love cheesy recipes? Make sure to try this Lazy Day Lasagna and Cheesy Kielbasa Rice and Broccoli Skillet next week for dinner!

    This post is sponsored by Walmart and SheKnows Media.

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    Can I Make This Macaroni And Cheese Ahead And Bake It When Im Ready

    Yes you sure can. Just let it cool down, put some plastic wrap right against the surface of the mac and cheese and stick it in the fridge. If you have a few minutes to bring it out and let it warm slightly before you bake it, do that. But if you cant, just bake it till the center is hot and the edges are bubbling.

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    Ultra Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese – How to Make the Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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    How To Make Baked Mac And Cheese

    Its a straightforward recipe, starting with a basic butter-flour roux that is used to thicken milk to make the cheese sauce. For first timers, I think the short video below will help give you the confidence that youve got this!

    The simple trick to avoid lumps in the Mac and Cheese Sauce is to pour the milk in slowly while constantly stirring, then just switch to a whisk if needed to remove any stubborn lumps!

    Easiest Baked Macaroni And Cheese

    Rachel GurkPosted:

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Easiest ever baked macaroni and cheese this is a go-to recipe of many of my readers and it will become the same for your family!

    No, really.

    This is the easiest ever macaroni and cheese! And so delicious!

    Read Also: Goat Cheese Charcuterie

    About This Easy Baked Macaroni And Cheese:

    This baked macaroni and cheese is made like Grandma used to make it, the old fashioned, baked in a casserole dish style. If youre looking for a creamy, non-baked recipe, youll probably love this copycat Panera mac and cheese or Instant Pot macaroni and cheese.

    I just love this baked macaroni and cheese, though. Its a little bit chewier, with lots of great cheddar cheese flavor, and I especially love the way the top crisps up in the oven.

    Plus its so easy! You just boil pasta, mix with grated cheese, a couple tablespoons of flour, and seasonings, put it in a casserole dish, and pour the milk over it. Thats it! No messing with white sauces or tricky steps. No getting four pots and pans dirty!

    You can prep this macaroni and cheese ahead of time and keep it in the fridge overnight. Its ready to bake when you want it!

    Baked mac and cheese is a total crowd pleaser. This is a great recipe for busy weeknight meals but also for entertaining. Perfect for potlucks!

    Enjoy one of our familys favorite meals! I grew up eating this macaroni and cheese and it was always a special day when my mom prepared it. Now I love serving it to my family and I especially love how easy it is to prepare. Im sure you will too!

    What Cheese Should I Use For My Baked Mac And Cheese:

    Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

    I use a mix of sharp cheddar and white cheddar as well as mozzarella for this recipe, but you can substitute your favorite cheese for the cheddar . Colby, Monterey Jack, and Gruyere are all great options!

    Another word of caution, most cheeses that you buy pre-shredded are tossed with cellulose powder before they are packaged. This keeps the shreds from clinging to each other so that you dont have a big glob of sticky cheese. Unfortunately, this cellulose powder can keep things from melting properly when you go to use that cheese in this recipe. If you opt to use pre-shredded, you run the risk of things not melting properly and your mac and cheese not turning out.

    Honestly, more than once Ive made this using pre-shredded cheese with great results, its just risky and results cant be guaranteed. Im currently having a moment with Tillamook brand cheese, which is the best pre-shredded cheese Ive ever tasted and is not tossed with cellulose. Its pricier but worth it . Even Zach loves it and hes usually the first to try and talk me back over to generic.

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    How To Make It

    Follow these easy instructions for how to make this recipe.

    Start by grating all of the cheeses and setting them to the side.

    Sauté some onions and garlic in a little bit of butter until lightly browned.

    Stir in flour to make a roux

    Add in milk to make a bechamel sauce and bring to a boil to thicken.

    Pour in the shredded cheeses to the thick milk sauce and whisk until smooth.

    Boil the macaroni noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly crunchy or al dente.

    Mix the cooked macaroni noodles with the cheese sauce and eggs until completely combined.

    Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, top off with additional shredded cheese and bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

    Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

    There is absolutely nothing I love more than cheese. And when you add pasta to it? Fuggetaboutit.

    Mac and cheese is one of those recipes that can take on so many different forms. I love it anyway I can get it but baked mac and cheese is my very favorite and Ill tell you why The topping. I use breadcrumbs for my topping occasionally, but, a Panko topped mac and cheese is just that much better.

    I mix in Parmesan, butter, and paprika with the Panko so it crisps up beautifully and gets a nice golden brown color when this amazing homemade mac and cheese is baked.

    Im going to be honest here. When I make mac and cheese, its the mac to cheese ratio that I am most concerned about. I love it when the mac and cheese is oeey gooey and the cheese sauce is just so creamy. GIMME.

    With all this cheese going on in this macaroni and cheese recipe, I need a little help from my KitchenAid Deluxe Stand Mixer and its handy dandy Fresh Prep Slice/Shredder attachment. I picked up this beauty at Walmart this past week and I am in LOOOOOVE. I was torn between the options: SILVER | COBALT | PISTACHIO. But, when I pictured them in my kitchen, I knew I had to go with the cobalt its just stunning!

    I use my stand mixer about 954 times each week. Being a food blogger and mom means Im in my kitchen a lot baking up goodies and whipping up amazing dinners like this homemade baked mac and cheese. I am always, always looking for help in the kitchen and the Kitchen Aid Deluxe Stand Mixer is the answer.

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    What Are The Best Cheeses For Baked Mac And Cheese

    As I mentioned above, the secret to creamy baked mac and cheese is Velveeta cheese! This American cheese just melts smoother than other cheeses and gives the sauce that creamy mouthfeel that we’re all looking for. I’ve found that an equal ratio of cheddar cheese and Velveeta cheese yields the best of both worlds — a smooth, creamy mac and cheese with plenty of rich, sharp cheddar flavor.

    If you like a combination of other cheeses, you can feel free to replace some of the cheddar with other good melting cheeses. Try Gruyere, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss or mozzarella. The options are endless, so pick your favorites!

    Instructions For Black Folks Baked Mac And Cheese

    Macaroni and Cheese Recipe | How to Make Mac and Cheese
  • Turn the Instant Pot on the sauté setting for 25 minutes
  • Fill the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot with 3 cups of milk, 3 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Pro tip- For baked mac and cheese the Black way, use milk to coat the macaroni and give it a smooth, silky texture. Perfect for layering on cheese!
  • Once the water begins to simmer, add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally to make sure the macaroni does not clump & stick.
  • Drain the macaroni and set it aside.
  • Add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the empty inner pot and turn it back on the sauté setting.
  • When the butter is melted, add the flour, 1 ¼ cups of milk, and seasonings and whisk until smooth.
  • Change the Instant Pot cook setting from sauté to slow cook for 1-hour .
  • While the cook setting changes from sauté to slow cook, allow the ingredients to simmer for about 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
  • Stir in the cheeses .
  • Close the Instant Pot with the lid and let slow cook for 5-10 minutes until the cheeses are blended.
  • Open the lid to add the cooked pasta and the heavy cream to the inner pot, stirring the mixture to blend evenly.
  • Transfer the pasta mixture into an 8-inch cast iron skillet or baking pan.
  • Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
  • Bake in the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Or bake in the conventional oven for 25 minutes or until mac and cheese is golden and bubbly.
  • Serve and enjoy!
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    Can You Bake Leftover Mac And Cheese

    Yes, you can reheat leftovers in the oven or in the microwave. Cover the dish loosely with foil and reheat in a 325 degree F oven just until warmed through. You can remove the foil cover during the final few minutes to allow the top to brown or the edges to get crispy.

    To reheat individual servings, just cover loosely and microwave for about 30 seconds .

    Is Baked Mac And Cheese Better Than Stovetop

    Although stovetop mac and cheese cooks faster, baked mac and cheese has an unrivaled and addictive cheesy and crispy topping.

    Proving that faster isnt always better!

    Baked macaroni and cheese is a Southern family favorite because its hearty, easy to make, and kids love it! Its delicious as soon as it comes out of the oven.

    This recipe for oven-baked mac and cheese will have you coming back for seconds and thirds!

    Its the perfect recipe to try at home when youre feeling bored with your usual pasta dinner routine or youre ready for a soul food take on an old classic!

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    Did A Black Person Invent Mac And Cheese

    Southern baked mac and cheese the James Hemings way

    James Hemings was a highly trained cook known to many modern-day chefs and culinary historians alike. A notable African American chef who helped create and define American cuisine as we know it today.

    According to Netflixs soul food documentary High On The Hog, where an all-Black creative team tells the story of African American food. Baked mac and cheese is initially cooked by Hemings in a mixture of boiling water and milk.

    Hemings placed sharp American cheese in between layers of butter and milk-coated macaroni. Then baked in a Dutch oven over an open-hearth fireplace stove with hot coals placed on the pots lid to bake.

    Today, we can make easy macaroni and cheese while still incorporating the original recipes culinary technique. Much safer inside an Instant Pot!

    Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

    Easiest Ever Baked Macaroni and Cheese (with VIDEO ...

    There are as many different baked macaroni and cheese recipes as there are home cooks. In the South, baked mac and cheese is typically just a simple combination of pasta, eggs, butter, milk and cheese. The eggs set up to create a firm casserole that you can slice into squares to serve. If you prefer that style dish, try my favorite Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. This recipe, by contrast, uses a roux to make a creamy béchamel that coats the noodles in sauce. If you’re looking for the ultimate creamy baked mac and cheeserecipe, then you’ve come to the right place!

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    What Cheese Is Best For Macaroni

    For me, its important that the mac and cheese stay flavorful and doesnt become one-note. The cheese flavor really needs to come through. When you take a bite you should taste cheese and not flour or worst yetnothing!

    Thats why I like to use both extra sharp cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. The two complement each other nicely and their flavors dont get lost in this baked dish.

    Black Folks Baked Mac And Cheese Cooking Tips

    Its time for some cooking tips!

    Southern baked mac and cheese is a classic dish that everyone loves. However, it can sometimes be challenging to know how to make the perfect version of this timeless favorite, so Im here with some cooking tips for baked mac and cheese, so you never have to worry about making a bad batch again!

    • Start with a good quality macaroni. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the water to keep noodles from sticking.
    • Make sure youre using a baking dish thats not too deep. An 8-inch baking pan or 8-inch cast iron skillet are perfect for this oven recipe!

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