Baked Mac and Cheese -

Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked mac and cheese is a delicious comfort food that brings warmth and joy to any meal, with creamy texture and cheesy goodness that appeals to all ages.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Comfort Food, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Pasta

2.5 cups 2½ cups elbow macaroni (10 oz) uncooked This will yield about 5 cups of cooked macaroni.

Cheese Sauce

4 tablespoons 4 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
4 tablespoons 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon ¼ teaspoon pepper
3 cups 3 cups milk (lukewarm)
2 cups 2 cups provolone cheese (shredded)
4 cups 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Method

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Boil the macaroni in a large pot according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Making the Sauce

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until light brown.
Add salt and pepper, stirring well.
Gradually whisk in the lukewarm milk until the mixture is smooth.
Add provolone and half of the cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.
Mix in Worcestershire sauce and taste the sauce for seasoning.
Cook the sauce over medium-high heat until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Combining and Baking

Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and smoked paprika on top.
Transfer to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

Serving

Allow to sit for a couple of minutes before serving.
Serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or extra paprika.

Notes

For a crunchier topping, consider adding seasoned breadcrumbs before baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator.