macaroni & cheese comfort bake

Name: Macaroni & Cheese Comfort Bake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 tablespoon(s) butter (1 stick), plus 4 Tbsp and some to coat casserole pan; 6 slice(s) white bread (plain, sourdough, etc) torn into little pieces; 5 1/2 cup(s) milk; 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoon(s) salt, plus some for water for noodles; 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly grated nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper (I add a little more); 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper; 4 1/2 cup(s) grated sharp white cheddar (approx. 18 oz); 2 cup(s) grated smoked Gouda; 1 pound(s) macaroni, elbow or shells (any are fine)

(4 RATINGS)

652 Pinches 15 Photos

Monette Peralta

Pacific Beach, CA

Updated on Oct 6, 2022

I grew up eating macaroni and cheese out of the box. Who knew making it from scratch was so easy? It is true, good ole fashioned comfort food!

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Macaroni and Cheese Comfort Bake in a small bowl.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Want a fancier macaroni and cheese recipe? Make this the next time you need mac and cheese to serve alongside barbecue, at a holiday event, or just when you want comfort food for dinner. Torn pieces of bread give this casserole a nice buttery and crunchy top. The sauce is so creamy. Smoked gouda adds a smoky flavor and makes the sauce taste like there may be bacon. Rich, savory, and very filling, this will feed a lot of people.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 30 Min

cook time 30 Min

method Bake

yield 6-8 main dish

Ingredients

8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), plus 4 Tbsp and some to coat casserole pan
6 slices white bread (plain, sourdough, etc) torn into little pieces
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt, plus some for water for noodles
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I add a little more)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 1/2 cups grated sharp white cheddar (approx. 18 oz)
2 cups grated smoked Gouda
1 pound macaroni, elbow or shells (any are fine)

How To Make macaroni & cheese comfort bake

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Put a large pan of water on to boil for macaroni. In a ramekin, put all spices. Butter 3 qt casserole pan; set aside. Place bread crumbs in a bowl. In the microwave melt 4 Tbsp butter.

Step 2

Pour melted butter over bread crumbs; toss. Set aside.
Step 3

Cook macaroni for approx 4-5 minutes. Rinse in cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
Step 4

Melt 1 stick of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Step 5

When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook whisking for 1 minute.
Step 6

Continue whisking, add milk a little at a time. Continue cooking until bubbly and thick, about 10 minutes or so.
Step 7

Take the pan off the heat. Whisk in spices.
Step 8

Gradually add cheese while whisking until well blended.
Step 9

Stir macaroni into cheese sauce until well blended.
Step 10

Pour into the prepared casserole pan.
Step 11

Top with bread crumbs.
Step 12

Bake approx. 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for about 10 minutes then serve.
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