Macaroni Cheese: Oven Baking Time And Temperature Guide

Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be made in a variety of ways, with different cheeses, spices, and toppings. The bake time for macaroni and cheese can vary depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispness. Most recipes call for baking macaroni and cheese between 25 and 45 minutes in an oven preheated to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some recipes may require a lower temperature and a longer baking time, or a higher temperature for a shorter period. It's important to note that the type of dish used can also affect the baking time, with thinner dishes requiring less time in the oven.

Pre-baking preparation

The first step in preparing macaroni and cheese is to gather your ingredients. For the macaroni, you will need:

• A package of elbow macaroni (16 oz)
• Shredded cheese (sharp or extra-sharp cheddar is recommended)
• Flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Ground mustard (optional)
• Milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
• Butter

Once you have your ingredients, follow these steps:

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 325°F for a creamier sauce). Grease a 2-quart or 3-quart baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. You can also use a 9x13-inch pan.

Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Make the Cheese Sauce:

While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until combined (about 1 minute). Then, slowly whisk in milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thickened. You can also add in ground mustard for extra flavour.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in shredded cheese, a little at a time, until melted and combined. You can use a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyere, mozzarella, gouda, Swiss, or Monterey Jack.

Combine the Pasta and Cheese Sauce:

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until fully mixed. You can also add in additional ingredients, such as bacon, vegetables, or different types of cheese.

Assemble the Baking Dish:

Place half of the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, then top with the remaining macaroni and cheese. Pour milk over the macaroni and add any desired toppings, such as breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. Dot with butter and cover the dish with aluminium foil.

Your macaroni and cheese is now ready to be baked! Depending on your oven temperature and desired level of crispness, bake for 30-45 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10-15 minutes to brown the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the dish to set.

Baking times and temperatures

The baking time and temperature for macaroni cheese depend on the recipe you are using and the type of macaroni and cheese you want. For example, if you want a crispy top, you may want to bake your macaroni cheese for less time or bake it uncovered. If you want a softer, creamier macaroni cheese, you may want to cover it with foil while it bakes.

Most recipes call for baking macaroni cheese at 350°F (175°C). However, some recipes suggest baking at 325°F or 375°F.

The baking time varies from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. If you are baking at a lower temperature, you will need to bake for longer. If you are baking at a higher temperature, you will need to bake for a shorter time.

Some recipes suggest removing the foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking to allow the top to crisp up.

If you are baking your macaroni cheese in a thicker dish, such as a 2-quart casserole, it will take longer to bake (around 40 minutes). If you are using a thinner dish, such as a cast-iron skillet, it will take less time (around 25 minutes).

You can also broil your macaroni cheese for the last 2 to 5 minutes of cooking to get a crispy, golden top.

If you are making your macaroni cheese ahead of time and baking it straight from the fridge, you will need to add a few minutes to the baking time to ensure it is heated through.

Cheese types

The cheese you choose for your macaroni cheese can make or break the dish. The ideal mac and cheese usually has more than one kind of cheese. When choosing a cheese, you should consider two factors: meltability and flavour.

Young and processed cheeses (like those that can be sliced with a butter knife) tend to melt smoothly but taste bland when mixed with pasta. Aged and funkier cheeses are harder to melt but add a lot of complex flavour to the dish.

Most recipes include sharp cheddar, which strikes a good balance between meltability and flavour. It's also generally easy to find and affordable. However, medium cheddar is considered even better for mac and cheese, as it has more moisture and melts more easily, resulting in a creamier sauce.

• Gruyère is a classic addition to mac and cheese. It melts similarly to cheddar but has a nutty flavour.
• Monterey Jack is another good melting cheese with a subtle buttery sweetness. It's also mild and kid-friendly.
• Smoked gouda is easy to find and balances the sharpness of cheddar. It has a more intense flavour with hints of butterscotch and a bacon-like saltiness.
• Mozzarella is a good melting cheese.
• Muenster is a classic choice for mac and cheese.
• Parmesan or Pecorino Romano adds a sharp depth of flavour.
• Fontina has complex notes of nuts, herbs and butter, developing into earthy mushroom flavours as it ages.
• Havarti is another classic choice for mac and cheese.
• Brie works well, but make sure to remove the rind before mixing it in.
• Cream cheese can be used to achieve a creamier sauce.
• American cheese (from a block, not singles) is a good melting cheese.
• Velveeta is another cheese that was designed to melt well.

You can also get creative with your cheese choices. Some less conventional options include Swiss, Colby Jack, Colby, Romano, and feta.

Post-baking steps

Once your macaroni cheese is baked, there are a few final steps to follow before serving.

Firstly, it is important to let the dish rest for a few minutes. This will allow the dish to cool slightly and make it easier to handle. It will also give the sauce a chance to thicken further, ensuring that it is not too runny. Most recipes recommend letting the dish rest for around 5-10 minutes.

After resting, your macaroni cheese is ready to serve! Many recipes suggest serving it hot, straight from the oven. However, if you prefer a crispier top, you can place the dish under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese.

If you have any leftovers, these can be stored in the refrigerator. Cover the dish tightly or transfer the macaroni cheese to an airtight container. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

When reheating, you can use a microwave or an oven. If using a microwave, stir the macaroni cheese often and add a small amount of milk or cream to prevent it from drying out. If using an oven, cover the dish and heat until it is hot and bubbly.

Some recipes also suggest adding a little extra milk or cream when reheating to ensure the dish is creamy and moist.

Recipe variations

Cheese

There are many different types of cheese that can be used in macaroni cheese. While some recipes suggest a combination of cheeses, others recommend using your favourites. Here are some options:

• Cheddar
• Gruyere
• Mozzarella
• Gouda
• Smoked gouda
• Swiss
• Monterey jack
• Colby jack
• Colby
• Pepper jack
• Emmental
• American
• Velveeta
• Jarlsberg Swiss
• Parmesan

Other Ingredients

You can also add other ingredients to your macaroni cheese to give it a unique twist. Here are some ideas:

• Bacon
• Hot dogs
• Sauteed onion
• Bell peppers/capsicum
• Dried herbs
• Chicken

Toppings

While some recipes call for a topping of cheese, others suggest a topping of breadcrumbs. Here are some topping options:

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Ritz crackers
• Parmesan
• Butter
• Paprika

Cooking Method

If you don't want to bake your macaroni cheese, you can make it on the stovetop. Boil your pasta until al dente, and you'll only need about 3–3.5 cups of cheese in total. No need to layer the pasta and cheese; just add all the cheese to the sauce and combine with the pasta.

Frequently asked questions