Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 1pound elbows, shells, cavatappi, farfalle, fusilli or other short, tube-shaped pasta
- Kosher salt
- 4tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼cup all-purpose flour
- 4cups whole milk
- 1clove garlic, finely grated
- 1teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
- Freshly ground pepper
- 12ounces sharp or white Cheddar cheese, grated
- 12ounces fontina or Gruyère, grated
- 1cup coarse bread crumbs or panko
- 4tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- ¼cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
Step 1
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it’s barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It’s going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.Step 2
Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.Step 3
Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.Step 4
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).Step 5
Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.Step 6
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 3-quart or 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.