Macaroni and Cheese
photo by Breezytoo
- Ready In:
- 45mins
- Ingredients:
- 9
- Serves:
-
8
ingredients
- 16 ounces macaroni, cooked according to package
- 3 3⁄4 cups milk, hot
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream or 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1⁄2 cup fresh breadcrumb
directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Butter a 13 X 9 baking dish and set aside.
- In large pot, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter over medium low heat and add flour.
- Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 - 4 minutes. (Flour must foam in order to cook the raw flour taste out. Do NOT let your flour burn.).
- Add cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Raise heat to medium high and gradually add in hot milk.
- Bring to a hard simmer, and cook and stir constantly for 3 - 5 minutes, until mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheese until melted.
- Stir in cooked, drained macaroni.
- Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the remaining cheese in bottom of prepared baking dish.
- Add half of the cheese and pasta mixture, spreading evenly.
- Add 3/4 cup shredded cheese to that, and repeat with remaining pasta mixture.
- Top casserole with remaining cheese.
- Pour heavy cream (or half and half) over top of casserole.
- In small frying pan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and add fresh bread crumbs, coating thoroughly and toasting slightly.
- Sprinkle evenly over top of macaroni and cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
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Reviews
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My whole family absolutely loves this recipe, my two daughters and I have made this recipe coutless times, and we will continue to make this recipe for years to come. Also I sauteed half an onion, and six pieces of cooked bacon cut into bite size pieces into the sauce before putting the cooked noodles in and let me tell you it's amazing! Thank You.
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The BEST mac and cheese ever! I think the secret is cooking the 'raw flour taste out' which is why I never like any other macaroni recipes because its too flour-y tasteing. I only discovered this recipe recently and have made It several times already. The only thing I change Is using whipping cream instead of thickend cream as I dont eat It. TY ewells
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Ok, at first I was skeptical due to trying several baked macaroni and cheese recipes with no luck. That being said, I am so happy I went ahead and tried this one anyway. The only change I made was to add a tiny bit of garlic powder and a few passes of Lawry's season salt along with the cayenne pepper ( I omitted the salt). I am truly impressed with this recipe and am debating on running to the store to grab hubby some quick cupcakes for his pot luck and keep this batch of goodness all for myself! Thank you for a great recipe!!
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Tweaks
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The BEST mac and cheese ever! I think the secret is cooking the 'raw flour taste out' which is why I never like any other macaroni recipes because its too flour-y tasteing. I only discovered this recipe recently and have made It several times already. The only thing I change Is using whipping cream instead of thickend cream as I dont eat It. TY ewells