Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Title: The Ultimate Baked Macaroni and Cheese 🧀🍝

Introduction:

When it comes to comfort food, nothing quite hits the spot like a warm, gooey, and cheesy dish of macaroni and cheese. This baked version takes things up a notch with a blend of five different cheeses, a crispy topping, and a creamy sauce that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or a side dish, this Baked Macaroni and Cheese is sure to be a hit at your dinner table. Let’s dive into the recipe!

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Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Pasta Noodles (elbow or rotini recommended) 🍝
• 7 tbsp. Room Temperature Butter, divided 🧈
• 4 Garlic Cloves, minced 🧄
• 3 tbsp. All-Purpose Flour 🌾
• ½ cup Reserved Pasta Water 💧
• ½ cup Heavy Cream 🥛
• 3.5 cups Half and Half 🥛
• 12 oz. Shredded Medium Cheddar 🧀
• 8 oz. Shredded Colby Jack 🧀
• 8 oz. Shredded Mozzarella 🧀
• 4 oz. Shredded Sharp Cheddar 🧀
• 4 oz. Shredded White Cheddar 🧀
• ¼ cup Whipped Cream Cheese 🧀
• ½ tsp. Onion Powder 🧅
• ½ tsp. Paprika 🌶️
• ½ tsp. Mustard Powder 🌾
• Salt + Black Pepper, to taste 🧂

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Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Cheeses

• Start by shredding all the cheeses. Set aside 1 cup each of shredded medium cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella for the crust topping. 🧀

Step 2: Prep the Ingredients

• Mince the garlic and cut the butter into seven portions. 🔪

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it’s heating, boil the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then strain the pasta. Transfer the cooked pasta to a 9×13 casserole dish and toss it with 2 tablespoons of butter. 🍝

Step 4: Make the Cheese Sauce

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 5 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant. 🧄
• Whisk in the flour and cook until it turns golden. Then, pour in the reserved pasta water, heavy cream, and half and half. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens, which should take about 4 minutes. 🍶
• Reduce the heat to low and begin adding the shredded cheeses (excluding those set aside for the topping) one handful at a time. Stir until the cheese is fully melted into the sauce.
• Mix in the room-temperature cream cheese, onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder. Stir until everything is well combined. 🍥

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

• Pour the rich cheese sauce over the buttered noodles in the casserole dish and mix to coat the pasta evenly. 🧀
• Sprinkle the reserved shredded cheeses on top to form the crust.
• Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Then, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the top cheese layer is crispy and golden. 🔥

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 3-5 minutes before serving. Dig in and enjoy the ultimate cheesy comfort food! 😋

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Prep Time: 20 min | Cooking Time: 20 min | Total Time: 40 min
Calories: 600 kcal per serving | Servings: 8 servings

Conclusion:

This Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness with a satisfying crispy topping. It’s a dish that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and watch it become a family favorite!

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