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Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

There are comfort foods, and then there's baked homemade macaroni and cheese — the kind that comes out of the oven bubbling at the edges, golden on top, and creamy all the way through. This isn't the stuff from a box. This is the real deal: a made-from-scratch version built on a proper cheese sauce, tender pasta, and a buttery cracker crust that shatters just enough with every scoop. 
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup butter divided
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 1 cup buttery crackers crushed

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    2. Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook elbow macaroni until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
    3. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and salt; cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
    4. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar cheese in batches until fully melted and smooth. Fold in drained macaroni until well coated.
    5. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine remaining 1/4 cup melted butter with crushed crackers and sprinkle evenly over the top.
    6. Bake for 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and edges are bubbling. Rest for 5 minutes before serving

Notes

 
  • Grate your own cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce — pre-shredded varieties can turn grainy.
  • Slightly undercook the pasta, since it will continue cooking in the oven.
  • Add a pinch of mustard powder or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for subtle depth.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
 

Nutrition Facts

 
  • Calories: 810
  • Total Carbohydrate: 57g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Total Sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Total Fat: 50g
  • Saturated Fat: 29g
  • Cholesterol: 133mg
  • Vitamin C: 0mg
  • Sodium: 1012mg
  • Calcium: 762mg
  • Iron: 3mg
  • Potassium: 376mg