Baked mac and cheese

Tips: Making baked mac and cheese

From choosing the right pasta to cooking it just right, these tips will ensure your dish is both comforting and utterly delightful.

Choose elbow pasta

Macaroni (also called elbow pasta) is the top choice for baked mac and cheese because it holds the cheese sauce well, making every forkful rich and enjoyable. If you cannot find macaroni, other short pasta like penne, ziti, or spirals are also good options.

Cook pasta just short of al dente

To achieve the ideal texture in baked mac and cheese, boil the pasta for one minute less than the recommended time on the package. This undercooking is intentional, as the pasta will continue to cook when baked in the cheese sauce, preventing it from becoming too soft.

Keep monitoring during baking

When baking, it is important to know that oven temperatures might not be consistent. To ensure your mac and cheese cooks evenly, rotate the baking dish halfway through the cooking time. This will help you achieve a uniformly golden crust. If the crust begins to brown too quickly, cover it with foil to prevent burning while allowing it to continue cooking.

Keep a close watch on it as it finishes baking. It is ready to come out of the oven when the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and the edges of the dish bubble up with melted cheese. After removing it from the oven, let it sit for a few minutes. This helps the mac and cheese stabilise, making it easier to cut.

Baked mac and cheese – a timeless classic

Discover the homely charm of baked mac and cheese. The dish truly is a timeless classic that embraces the simplicity of delicious comfort food. A few ingredients mix together for an easy meal full of indulgent flavours. Crisp breadcrumbs join the iconic pairing of pasta and cheese to create a satisfying crunch. Mac and cheese has become a popular choice for two reasons: how easy it is and how tasty it is. Our version is no different, so prepare a portion for the whole family.

For other exciting mac and cheese variations, have a look at our recipe collection. Try a delicious chicken mac and cheese, butter chicken mac and cheese, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, or a quick mac and cheese.

Cheesy and creamy with perfectly cooked pasta

A great mac and cheese needs an enticing balance of tender pasta and creamy cheese. The pasta needs to be soft but still firm enough to capture the sauce, while the combination of béchamel sauce and grated cheese must be indulgent but never overpowering. And that is exactly what you will get with our recipe. Béchamel sauce is known for its smooth and luscious texture that easily binds everything together, while cheddar and mozzarella provide the classic cheese consistency we associate with mac and cheese.

Infused with the warmth and subtle sweetness of nutmeg

A simple dash of nutmeg can transform your baked mac and cheese from great to even better. Grated nutmeg brings aromatic and warm notes to the mix. It also has a slightly sweet flavour that helps enhance the richness of the cheese. The result is an unexpected yet delightful play on flavours that adds much nuance to a simple dish.

Perfect contrast with beautiful crunchy topping

Top off the baked mac and cheese with a delicious layer of breadcrumbs. Baked in the oven, this simple addition gives the classic dish its final flourish. The breadcrumbs create a delectable crust that contrasts beautifully with the creamy pasta underneath. This satisfying crispy crunch is delightful against the smooth cheese sauce.

What to serve with baked mac and cheese?

While baked mac and cheese is easily enjoyed as a meal by itself, you can also serve it with simple side dishes. Since our recipe is quick and easy, we suggest a few simple sides that you can make in almost no time. Enjoy the dish next to roasted broccoli or sautéed broccoli with garlic and chilli flakes. A simple green bean salad with garlic or shallots and almonds can also complement the baked mac and cheese wonderfully.

Add your own touch

While the timeless pasta and cheese pairing is a sure hit, you can always add your own flair. Try adding crispy turkey bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for savoury notes. Or mix in different cheeses like smoked Gouda or blue cheese to create a distinctive flavour. To balance the indulgent sauce, add a pinch of spicy chilli flakes to the mix. Or switch elbow pasta with other short pasta types that hold the cheese well, like penne or ziti.