Easy Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! Cheesy, creamy & delicious...this recipe will become a go-to recipe for game day, parties, or any time you crave home cooked goodness!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baked Mac and Cheese, Cheddar, Cheesecake, Colby Jack, Creamy, Easy Recipes, Easy Weeknight Dinner, easy weeknight recipe, Game Day Recipes, Mac and Cheese, Party Recipes
Servings: 12Servings
Ingredients
1PoundElbow Macaroni or Small Shell Pasta
6TBSPButter
6TBSPAll-Purpose Flour
4CupsWhole Milk
2CupsColby Jack CheeseShredded
2½CupsCheddar CheeseShredded, Separated
½TSPSalt
½TSPFreshly Ground Pepper
Instructions
In a large stockpot, bring 4 to 6 quarts of well salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add pasta and cook to just al dente. Rinse and drain well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
While pasta cooks, melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a skillet.
Add flour to butter and stir over medium heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly browned.
Add the milk and whisk to remove any lumps. Add the salt and pepper.
Cook mixture for 5-6 minutes over medium-high heat until sauce thickens and begins bubbling.
Once sauce has thickened, mix in cheese, reserving about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese for topping. Whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
Combine sauce & drained pasta. Mix until coated.
Transfer pasta into a greased 9×13 baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Place under broiler for 2 minutes to make a golden top. Watch closely!
To prepare from cold, place the cold dish straight from the fridge into a cold oven. Turn the oven on to 350 degrees and bring to temperature. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
