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Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

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  • Prep 20 min
  • Total 45 min
  • Servings 6
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This creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese is a true crowd pleaser—they’ll be requesting it for dinner every night! This Southern-inspired comfort food packs a wallop of homestyle flavors that both kids and adults will love. Plus, made from pantry-friendly ingredients (plus lots of cheese), it’s both accessible and affordable. What more could you want out of a baked pasta dish?
by: TBSP Kitchens
Updated Dec 10, 2019
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Ingredients

  • Equal parts chicken broth & water (to boil macaroni)
  • 3 cups macaroni (uncooked)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups finely shredded cheeses (sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Gouda, Muenster, etc.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with butter.
  • 2
    In a large pot, combine equal parts water and chicken broth just enough to cook your macaroni in. Bring to a boil on the stovetop. Add macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions (usually about 7-8 minutes). When macaroni is done, drain and set aside in a large pot or bowl.
  • 3
    In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, then whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Continuing to whisk, add in 1 cup chicken broth, half-and-half, and milk; continue whisking until fully combined. The mixture should steam but not boil, so adjust your heat accordingly. Add in the cream cheese and stir until completely melted.
  • 4
    Remove pot from heat and add in cheese, stirring until smooth. Pour cheese mixture over cooked macaroni, add black pepper and stir to combine.
  • 5
    Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the greased 9x9-inch pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until slightly jiggly, making sure not to overcook. Once finished baking, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving, as the macaroni will set as it cools.

Expert Tips

  • tip 1
    Top your baked mac and cheese with additional shredded cheddar cheese before it goes into the oven, if desired.
  • tip 2
    We like to throw a dash or two of paprika on this baked pasta dish before it goes in the oven.
  • tip 3
    While this baked macaroni and cheese recipe calls for specifically cheddar, mozzarella, Gouda and Munster cheese, any type of cheese will do. Add Pepper Jack cheese for a spicy twist or feta for a tangier dish.

Nutrition Information

No nutrition information available for this recipe

More About This Recipe

  • However you like to eat mac and cheese, we have a recipe for you. From the classics to the twists and stovetop versions to slow-cooker recipes, if you can dream it, we’ve got a recipe for it.
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