Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese: Difference between revisions

==Ingredients==

'''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 <big>'''{2 cups or so (for FULL)  1 cup or so (for HALF)}'''</big> 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 <big>'''{1¹/₂ cups (for FULL) 3/4 cup (for HALF)}'''</big> of the '''''cheeses''''', '''stirring to melt and combine'''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Stir''' in another <big>'''{1¹/₂ cups (for FULL) 3/4 cup (for HALF)}'''</big> 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 <big>'''{1¹/₂ cups (for FULL) 3/4 cup (for HALF)}'''</big> of shredded cheeses, then '''top''' that with the '''''remaining pasta mixture'''''.<nowiki><br></nowiki>  

'''Sprinkle''' the top with the last <big>'''{1¹/₂ cups (for FULL) 3/4 cup (for HALF)}'''</big> of '''''cheese''''' and '''bake''' for '''''15 minutes''''', until cheesy is bubbly and lightly golden brown.