Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Prepare and cook pasta

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, bring 6 cups water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tsp salt and the 2 cups elbow macaroni. Cook uncovered until just al dente (about 7–8 minutes; the pasta should still have a slight bite). Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Make the roux

In the same pot (or a medium saucepan) melt 3 tbs unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted and foamy, add 3 tbs all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and lightly golden (this cooks the raw flour taste).

Make the cheese sauce

Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, adding a little at a time to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 4–6 minutes). Whisk in 1 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp ground black pepper, and 2 tbs cream cheese (if using) until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup shredded mild cheddar until fully melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, loosen with up to the reserved 1/4 cup pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt if needed.

Combine pasta and sauce

Return the drained macaroni to the pot with the cheese sauce and stir gently to fully coat the pasta. Transfer the mixture to a lightly buttered 8x8-inch (or similar) baking dish, smoothing the top.

Prepare breadcrumb topping

In a small bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbs melted butter and 1 tsp paprika (if using). Stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.

Bake

Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, until the topping is golden and the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges. For a more browned top, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes—watch closely to prevent burning.

Rest and serve

Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes to allow the sauce to set slightly. Portion into servings and serve warm.

Place 1 Cuties® mandarin orange and 1 individual applesauce cup on the plate or tray beside a portion of baked macaroni and cheese.

Offer the guest a choice of 1 small DASANI® water or 1 small lowfat milk as the beverage. If serving immediately, chill the beverage ahead of time if desired.