Frederic Melton
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish that can be made in a variety of ways. While there is no right or wrong way to make it, baking it in the oven is a common method that results in a crispy top and a creamy, soft bottom. The key to achieving this texture is to undercook the macaroni before baking it, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Additionally, the type and amount of cheese used can be customised according to personal preference, with options such as cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, and gruyere. The cheese is combined with other ingredients like butter, flour, and milk to create a rich and creamy sauce, which is then mixed with the macaroni and baked to perfection.
How to cook macaroni cheese in the oven
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 325-350°F (175-180°C) |
| Baking time | 25-40 minutes |
| Pasta | Macaroni, cooked al dente |
| Pasta quantity | 4 cups |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Gruyère, Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Swiss, Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Colby Jack |
| Cheese quantity | 1 pound |
| Other ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, egg, mustard, onion, bay leaf, paprika, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper |
| Topping | Crunchy Panko-Parmesan, breadcrumbs |
| Leftovers | Will stay good for up to three days in the refrigerator |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the oven to 350°F
To cook macaroni and cheese in the oven, you'll want to preheat your oven to 350°F. This is the same as 180°C. This temperature will ensure your macaroni and cheese cooks through without burning the top.
You'll want to use a large oven, around 3 or 4 quarts in size, and grease the dish with butter or oil. This will help the macaroni and cheese not stick to the dish and make it easier to serve and clean up.
While the oven is preheating, you can cook the pasta. You'll want to cook it for slightly less time than the packet instructions, as it will continue to cook in the oven. You don't want it to get mushy or overcooked. Drain the pasta and place it in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat the pasta, then set it aside to cool while you prepare the cheese sauce.
Some recipes suggest melting butter in a saucepan and whisking in flour over medium heat until it forms a paste. Then, slowly add milk and whisk until smooth. You can add salt and pepper to taste, as well as any other seasonings you like.
Once your oven is preheated, you can assemble the macaroni and cheese in the greased dish and bake it for around 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
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Undercook the macaroni
When making macaroni and cheese, it is recommended to undercook the macaroni before baking it in the oven. This is because the pasta will continue to cook and absorb liquid when you toss it with the sauce and bake it in the oven. If you cook the pasta fully before baking, it will turn out mushy and overcooked.
To undercook the macaroni, boil it in salted water until it is still quite firm. Test a noodle about five minutes into the cooking process. If it is too firm to eat, it is time to drain the pasta. The macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot.
The pasta will fully cook as the macaroni and cheese bakes in the oven. Depending on what you plan to do with the pasta, you can undercook it by about a minute or two. If the box suggests nine minutes, pull the pasta out at around seven and a half to eight minutes. For macaroni and cheese, boil the pasta for about five minutes before mixing in the cheese sauce and baking.
Undercooking the macaroni ensures that it does not become overcooked and mushy when baked in the oven. This is a crucial step to achieving the perfect macaroni and cheese consistency.
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Make a roux
Making a roux is a crucial step in creating a creamy and smooth cheese sauce for macaroni and cheese. Here is a detailed guide on how to make a perfect roux:
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
Instructions:
- In a large saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. The amount of butter used should be equal to the amount of flour for a standard roux. Adjust the amount based on the desired quantity of sauce.
- Once the butter is melted, add the flour. Combine and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. The mixture will resemble wet sand at this stage.
- Now, it's time to add the milk. Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of milk, ensuring that you mix well to dissolve the flour-butter paste into the milk.
- Continue adding the remaining milk gradually and mix until you achieve a smooth and lump-free consistency. You can use a whisk if needed to break up any lumps.
- Keep cooking the mixture, stirring or whisking regularly, for an additional 5-8 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it thickens to a creamy consistency and coats the back of a spoon.
A well-made roux is the key to a delicious macaroni and cheese sauce. It serves as the base for the cheese sauce, providing a creamy texture and ensuring that the cheese melts evenly.
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Add cheese to the sauce
To make macaroni and cheese in the oven, you'll need to start by making a cheese sauce. The cheese sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, cooking it until it's golden, and then whisking in milk. You can season the sauce with salt and pepper, and add in other flavourings like mustard, onion, bay leaf, and paprika.
Once you have a smooth, creamy sauce, it's time to add the cheese. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese. You can use any type of cheese you like, but sharper cheeses like cheddar, gruyere, or gouda will give your mac and cheese a more distinct flavour. You can also use milder cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or fontina, or a combination of different cheeses. Play around with different combinations to find your favourite! Just be sure to shred the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt as well.
Add about 3 cups of shredded cheese to your sauce, stirring until it's well combined. You don't need to worry about melting the cheese completely at this stage, as it will melt further in the oven. The important thing is to make sure the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
If you want an extra cheesy mac and cheese, you can also reserve some of the shredded cheese to sprinkle on top before baking. This will give your dish a crispy, golden top and help hold in the moisture as it bakes.
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Top with breadcrumbs
A topping of breadcrumbs can add a crunchy texture to your mac and cheese. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice for this. You can mix the breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, butter, and paprika to create a topping that crisps up and turns a nice golden brown colour when baked. Alternatively, you could use crushed Ritz crackers as a topping.
To make a herb and garlic breadcrumb topping, melt butter in a frying pan, add crushed garlic, and sauté over low heat for 30 seconds. Then, add the breadcrumbs and chopped parsley, and cook until the breadcrumbs are slightly toasted.
If you are making mac and cheese ahead of time, add the dish to a casserole dish but do not bake it. When you are ready to serve, add the panko breadcrumb topping and bake it. This ensures that the topping is as fresh as possible.
Bake the mac and cheese for around 30 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown. Baking for too long can cause the dish to dry out.
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