Baked Mac 'n Cheese Recipe
A five-cheese blend with cavatappi pasta, served in a cast-iron skillet and topped with Ritz cracker crumbs.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping
Method
Preparation
- 1
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2
Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce
- 3
- 4
Add Flour
Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until it's lightly golden.
- 5
Add Milk
Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- 6
Add Cheese
Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- 7
Season the Sauce
Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the cheese sauce, stirring to combine.
Combine and Bake
- 8
Combine Pasta and Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the cooked cavatappi pasta with the cheese sauce, mixing until the pasta is evenly coated.
- 9
Prepare Skillet
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a cast-iron skillet or a baking dish.
- 10
Prepare the Topping
In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until well combined.
- 11
Top and Bake
Evenly sprinkle the cracker mixture over the mac and cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- 12
Serve
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your baked mac 'n cheese!
