Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese: Difference between revisions

==Full Recipe==

==Half Recipe==

'''Preheat''' oven to '''325°F''' and '''grease''' a '''3 quart''' baking dish '''(9"x13")'''.  ''Set aside.''<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Bring''' a large pot of salted water to a '''boil'''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Add''' dried pasta and '''cook''' '''''1 minute less''''' than the package directs for al dente.  '''Drain''' and '''drizzle''' with a little bit of ''olive oil'' to keep from sticking.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Melt''' butter in a large saucepan over '''''medium''''' heat.  '''Sprinkle''' in ''flour'' and '''whisk''' to combine.  Mixture will look like very wet sand. <nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Cook''' for approximately '''''1 minute''''', whisking often.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Slowly pour''' in about '''2 cups or so''' of the '''''half and half''''', while '''whisking constantly''', until smooth.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Slowly pour''' in the '''''remaining half and half''''' and the '''''whole milk''''', while '''whisking constantly''', until combined and smooth.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

Continue to '''heat''' over '''''medium''''' heat, '''whisking very often''', until thickened to a '''''very thick consistency'''''.  It should almost be the consistency of a ''semi thinned out condensed soup''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Remove''' from the '''''heat''''' and '''stir''' in spices ('''''salt, black pepper & paprika''''') and '''1¹/₂ cups''' of the '''''cheeses''''', '''stirring to melt and combine'''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Stir''' in another '''1¹/₂ cups''' of '''''cheese''''', and '''stir''' until '''''completely melted and smooth'''''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

In a large mixing bowl, '''combine''' '''''drained pasta''''' with '''''cheese sauce''''', stirring to combine fully.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Pour half''' of the '''''pasta mixture''''' into the ''prepared baking dish''.  '''Top''' with '''1¹/₂ cups''' of shredded cheeses, then '''top''' that with the '''''remaining pasta mixture'''''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Sprinkle''' the top with the last '''1¹/₂ cups''' of '''''cheese''''' and '''bake''' for '''''15 minutes''''', until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.     

# Please feel free to add additional seasonings per your tastes, this is a base recipe that you can change up to make your own. Garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, and hot sauce are some favorites of ours to add.

# To get the 4 cups of cheddar, use a 16 oz block of cheddar and shred.

# To get the 2 cups of gruyere, use as close to an 8 oz block of gruyere as you can (different brands have different sized blocks), and shred.  

* Make as directed (but do not bake), transfer to baking dish and cool completely.  Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead.

* Before baking, let dish sit on counter for 30 minutes.

* Bake at recipe temperature for 25-35 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

* 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

* 1 cup Colby cheese, shredded

* 1 cup Muenster cheese, shredded

* 1¹/₂ cups Gruyere cheese, shredded

* ¹/₂ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded