Baked Macaroni Cheese

Baked Macaroni Cheese

Published on October 9, 2023 | By

Ingredients

  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 6 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup panko crumbs
  • 3/4 cup ritz crackers
  • 1/4 tsp parika
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb. elbow noodles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 3 qt, 4 qt, or individual ramiken baking dish and set aside.
  2. Cook macaroni for 9 minutes and drain. Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat and set aside. Save one cup of pasta water.
  3. Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
  4. Add flour and mix until smooth.
  5. Add milk slowly and stir until the mixture thickens. Add garlic poweder, onion powder, salt and pepper. (If sauce is too thick you can add some pasta water to loosen it up. Only if needed)
  6. Take sauce off the heat and add cheese until melted.
  7. Stir in cooked macaroni and coat well with cheese sauce.
  8. Pour half the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese and then add the remaining macaroni and cheese.
  9. In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, crumbled ritz crackers, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
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