Bushra Griffith
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be easily made in the oven. The key to a perfect baked mac and cheese is a creamy, soft bottom with a crispy top—a true crowd-pleaser that won't dry out. While there are many variations, the basic steps involve making a cheese sauce, mixing it with cooked pasta, and baking it to achieve that signature crispy texture. With simple ingredients and a straightforward method, this dish is a favourite for good reason.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350°F (175°C) or 180°C |
| Baking time | 30-40 minutes |
| Pasta | Macaroni |
| Pasta texture | Undercooked, al dente, or firm |
| Cheese | Cheddar, gouda, Swiss, guyere, Colby, Monterey jack, fontina, mild cheddar, pepper jack, gruyère, panko, parmesan |
| Topping | Butter, breadcrumbs, or Panko |
| Sauce | White, creamy, and made with butter, milk, flour, and cheese |
| Add-ons | Hot dogs, glazed carrots, onion, bay leaf, paprika, mustard, egg |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C)
To cook macaroni and cheese in the oven, the first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is a moderate temperature that will ensure your macaroni and cheese cooks through without burning. Preheating your oven is essential as it ensures your dish cooks evenly.
While your oven is preheating, you can prepare your macaroni and cheese. Start by cooking your macaroni in a large pot of salted, boiling water. You want to undercook your pasta, so it's slightly firmer than al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Next, make your cheese sauce. Melt butter in a separate pan, and whisk in flour and dry mustard powder. Cook this mixture for about five minutes, whisking constantly, until it forms a smooth paste. Then, slowly whisk in milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Season with salt and pepper, and perhaps add some onion, bay leaf, and paprika for extra flavour.
Now, you can combine your cooked macaroni and cheese sauce. Fold the pasta into the sauce, ensuring each piece is coated. Pour this into your greased baking dish and top with extra cheese.
Finally, place your macaroni and cheese in the oven and bake for around 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade macaroni and cheese!
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Undercook the pasta
To make macaroni and cheese in the oven, it is important to undercook the pasta before baking it. This is because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so if it is baked until fully cooked, it will become overcooked and soggy. Therefore, the pasta should be cooked until it is al dente, or even a minute less than that, so that it still has some firmness before it goes into the oven.
To do this, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it for the amount of time indicated on the packet minus one minute. For example, if the packet instructions say to cook the pasta for 10 minutes, you would only cook it for 9 minutes before draining it. The pasta should be firm but not too hard. A good way to test this is to take a piece of pasta out of the pot and try to eat it—if it is too firm to eat, it is ready to be drained.
Once the pasta is drained, it can be added to the cheese sauce and baked in the oven. This will ensure that the pasta is fully cooked but still has a pleasant texture and is not mushy or soggy.
Undercooking the pasta is a crucial step in ensuring that the final dish is cooked perfectly and has the right texture. It may take a few attempts to get the timing just right, but it is worth it to achieve the best results.
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Make a roux
To make a roux, melt butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Use a whisk to combine equal parts butter and flour until smooth and free of lumps. Keep stirring for about 1 minute. You are aiming for a bubbly and golden consistency.
Next, gradually whisk in the milk. It is important to use cold milk, not warm, to prevent the flour from clumping. Add about 1 cup of milk first and mix until the paste dissolves. Then, add the remaining milk and whisk until the mixture is lump-free.
Cook the mixture, stirring regularly, for 5 to 8 minutes, until it thickens to a creamy consistency. You will know it is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and you can draw a path with your finger.
At this point, you can add your cheese. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the cheese, and stir—there is no need to melt the cheese.
Some recipes suggest tempering in an egg at this stage, whisking it in to avoid cooking it. You can also add seasonings like salt, mustard, onion, bay leaf, and paprika.
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Add milk, then cheese
To make macaroni and cheese in the oven, you'll need to start by making a cheese sauce on the stovetop. This typically involves making a roux—a mixture of butter and flour—and then adding milk and cheese.
To make the sauce, start by melting butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. You'll need about 5 tablespoons of butter for a large batch. Once melted, add an equal amount of flour and whisk together until bubbly and golden. This should take about 1 minute.
Next, it's time to add the milk. Whisk in cold milk, starting with about 1 cup, and mix until the paste dissolves into the milk. Then, add the remaining milk and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. You'll need about 3 cups of milk in total.
At this point, you can add seasonings to the sauce. Salt is a must, and you can also add onion, bay leaf, paprika, or mustard for extra flavour. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination of different varieties, such as cheddar, gouda, Swiss, or gruyère. The key is to add the cheese off the heat so that it doesn't curdle. Add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted before adding more. This will ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.
Once the cheese has melted, your sauce is ready to be combined with the cooked macaroni and baked in the oven.
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Bake for 30 minutes
Once you've prepared your macaroni and cheese, it's time to bake it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a large 2-quart or 3-4 quart baking dish. If your macaroni and cheese has been refrigerated, remember to take it out 30 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. This will ensure even cooking.
Place your macaroni and cheese in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Keep the dish uncovered during baking to achieve a crispy, golden top. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your baking dish, so keep an eye on your macaroni and cheese to ensure it doesn't overcook.
You'll know your macaroni and cheese is ready when the top is browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the dish to cool slightly and sets the cheese sauce, ensuring it doesn't run out when served.
Finally, serve your baked macaroni and cheese hot and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
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