Best 7 Absolutely The Easiest Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Comfort food doesn't get much easier than baked macaroni and cheese. This classic dish is a favorite of both kids and adults alike, and it's a snap to make. Just a few simple ingredients are needed, and you can have a delicious meal on the table in less than an hour. Macaroni and cheese is also a great way to use up leftover pasta, so it's a perfect recipe for busy weeknights.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

A friend of mine sent this recipe to me when I got my first apartment, because she knows how much I hate cooking! It's really easy -- even I can make it -- and tastes great. I'm not sure where she found the recipe, but it included the note 'Good source of protein, vitamin A, B group vitamins, calcium.'

Provided by Meredith

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (12 ounce) package macaroni
1 egg
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
  • Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
  • Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 968.1 calories, Carbohydrate 92.6 g, Cholesterol 194.2 mg, Fat 45.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 27.6 g, Sodium 736 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

CRISPY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Crispy Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
Kosher salt
8 ounces mini penne pasta
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 bay leaf
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups grated monterey jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 1/2 cups grated gruyere cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a shallow 2-quart baking dish; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the bay leaf, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens slightly, 7 to 8 minutes.
  • Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and whisk in the monterey jack, gruyere and cheddar one cheese at a time, allowing each cheese to melt before adding more. Add the pasta and stir until coated, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen (the sauce will thicken as it bakes).
  • Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Add the panko, parmesan and a pinch of salt; stir to combine. Scatter over the pasta and bake until the crumbs are browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Unsalted butter, for the dish
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni with ridges
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups milk
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
  • For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
  • For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
  • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.

THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE



The Easiest Baked Macaroni & Cheese image

There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/2-3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 cups milk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt butter in microwave.
  • Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
  • Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
  • Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
  • Add milk. Do not stir.
  • Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



How To Make The Best Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Nothing says comfort like a homemade baked mac and cheese. Our favorite version is made with a luscious and creamy sauce that pools in the pasta shells for the ultimate cheesy feel-good food.

Provided by Aleya Zenieris

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling
8 oz dried pasta shells
10 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
4 oz american cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 large egg
2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package (you want the pasta to have a slight bite; it will finish cooking while it bakes).
  • In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces shredded cheddar with the American cheese and cornstarch. Use your fingers to gently toss until all of the cheese is coated.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. As the butter begins to sizzle, add the mustard powder and cayenne and stir to combine. Toast the spices until the butter turns golden brown, about 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until the milk begins to simmer, with small bubbles rapidly rising to the surface, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisk the egg in a small bowl, then temper it by slowly adding in spoonfuls of the simmering milk mixture while continuing to whisk until incorporated.
  • Slowly drizzle the tempered egg back into the milk mixture, whisking vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheddar cheese mixture, a small handful at a time, whisking between each addition to make sure the cheese melts evenly (mix quickly enough that the mixture does not cool too rapidly, but slowly enough that the emulsion does not break).
  • Add the cooked pasta to the pot and gently fold to coat with the sauce, then season with 1 teaspoon salt. Pour the pasta and sauce into an 8-inch square baking dish with 2-inch-high sides (at this point, the pasta can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 3 days).
  • In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 2 ounces of cheddar cheese, the mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of the pasta.
  • Bake the mac and cheese until the cheese is melted and beginning to bubble around the edges, about 20 minutes. Turn the broiler on high and broil the mac and cheese until the cheese begins to brown all over, about 5 minutes. Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes for the sauce set and cool slightly.
  • Serve warm.
  • Enjoy!

CLASSIC BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Classic Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: unsalted butter, all purpose flour, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, whole milk, heavy cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, panko breadcrumbs

Provided by Next Level Chef on Fox

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

½ stick unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 ¼ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked according to package instructions until al dente and drained, not cooled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until smooth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4-5 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy.
  • Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
  • Pour the mac and cheese into a 9-inch square pan.
  • Make the bread crumb topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and paprika with a fork until combined. Add the panko bread crumbs and stir until evenly coated in the butter mixture.
  • Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
  • Bake the mac and cheese for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is browned (if the top isn't browning, broil on high for 2-3 minutes).
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 679 calories, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 22 grams, Sugar 6 grams

ABSOLUTELY THE EASIEST--BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Absolutely the Easiest--Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

A dear friend gave this to me to make while our granddaughter stayed with us for a week. I was trying to find all these easy and different little meals that she would enjoy and would not be much work for me. This is the easiest Macaroni & Cheese I have ever made and is yummy. Hubby and granddaughter liked it, too. I used Hood's Country Style cottage cheese but any would be fine. You don't have to cook the pasta before putting it in the oven. This is unbelievable. The oven does all the work. Talk about lazy.....this is my kind of dish.

Provided by Mimi in Maine

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/8 cup butter
1 lb cottage cheese
1/4 lb American cheese (or about 6 slices)
1/4 lb grated cheddar cheese
3 cups boiling water

Steps:

  • Spray a 9x11x2 pan and spread the UNCOOKED macaroni in the bottom.
  • Dot with butter and evenly spread the cottage cheese over this; don't mix.
  • Add the American cheese and then add the Cheddar cheese evenly.
  • Pour the boiling water over the top.
  • DO NOT STIR.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 565.8, Fat 27.8, SaturatedFat 16.1, Cholesterol 82.6, Sodium 924.5, Carbohydrate 45.8, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 4.6, Protein 32.2

Tips:

  • Use a large baking dish to prevent the macaroni and cheese from boiling over.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente according to the package instructions.
  • Use a combination of cheeses for a more flavorful macaroni and cheese. Cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan are all good choices.
  • Add some cooked vegetables to the macaroni and cheese, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or peas.
  • Top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking.
  • Bake the macaroni and cheese until it is bubbly and golden brown.
  • Let the macaroni and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and cheesy dish that is perfect for any occasion.

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