Cooler weather makes most of us crave comfort food, and this is an easy to prepare dish that answers that call! If you like a little more zing, use old cheddar cheese and add paprika. We like this very basic version adapted from All Recipes, though I do use a Mexican blend of shredded cheese for more flavour. The best part, it makes great school-lunch leftovers in a thermos too!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 2½ cups Elbow Macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, old cheddar or Mexican blend)
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 sleeve cheese crackers, crushed (if buying by the box, about 1½ cups crushed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Fill a large pot with water. add 1 Tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the macaroni and cook uncovered for 8 minutes (you want it firm).
- Drain macaroni and set aside.
- In a separate large pot, combine ¼ cup of butter, and flour over medium to low heat until a thick paste is created.
- Slowly add all the milk to the flour paste mixture, ¼ cup at a time stirring well.
- Add salt and cheese and stir until cheese has melted and sauce has thickened.
- Pour noodles into the cheese mixture, stir to combine and then pour the entire mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Mix the melted butter & crushed cheddar crackers together. Sprinkle on top of Macaroni.
- Bake uncovered in oven for 45 minutes until top is golden.
Ooooh this sounds like the perfect winter comfort food! 🙂 I would never have thought to use cheese crackers in a mac and cheese recipe
Looks yum! Cant wait to try make this 🙂
I love macaroni & cheese…I have to try this one!
Look delicious! Macaroni and Cheese is always a hit at our house…I will have to try this one.
wow this looks tasty! my one daughter is really picky but LOVES macaroni. havent done homemade before so i gotta give this a go.
Looks just like the one my grandma used to make. So yummy!
This looks delicious and you could probably add to it very easily, ?
I think my family would enjoy this recipe.
This looks really good
Yummm, my favourite nothing beats a good homemade mac and cheese!!
LOVE homemade mac and cheese!
Yum! This would definitely be a hit with my family. Thanks for sharing 🙂
This looks really good. Now I’m going to crave mac and cheese.
This looks like a great recipe – the cheese crackers are a nice touch.
Yum this looks Devine! I love Mac and cheese
Oh my I love Mac_N- Cheese
Haven’t used a box in years as these recipes are so much better
I’m sure my son would love this! He loves anything with macaroni!
Looks really good! Yum I should try it!
I usually make homemade mac n cheese when we are short on time. But baking it will add a welcome change with the extra cheesy crunch on top! And this is so easy, throw in the oven for 45 mins to get all warm, golden brown and bubbly!
Oh this sounds awesome! Definitely need to try this one.
Mac and cheese is one of our favourites in our house and I am always looking for more varieties of recipes to add to our collection – this one is a keeper, thanks!!
Mac and Cheese is the ULTIMATE comfort food. LOVE IT!!!
I love macaroni and cheese, this recipe looks interesting! I will just have to try it!
I don’t eat cheese so this wouldn’t be a good recipe for me…lol
Absolute comfort food!
This looks very yummy, who doesn’t like mac and cheese!
Home made is the best. I love the crispy part of the casserole.
Yum this looks tasty . Love the topping
What a yummy recipe for this cold weather!
MMM this looks tasty! Thank you for sharing!
Yummy, so easy and all the ingredients are in my pantry and fridge already.
ooohhhh looks and sounds delish thanks for sharing , i will def be trying it out 🙂
I love real macaroni and cheese recipes! We will have to try this! My daughter loves macaroni and
cheese!!
I’ve never made macaroni and cheese but it is one of my favorite dishes. I will have to try making this .Looks so good !
You just can’t fail with mac and cheese. This is my go-to staple and will definitely try this recipe!
Yum this looks delicious and something my kids would like.
My grandmother made a similar recipe while we were growing up and it was a family favourite.
My family would love this dish!
never tried making my own…..love the simplicity of this recipe!
Love Homemade Mac & Cheese, I make a similar recipe but without the crushed crackers on top. Will have to give that a try, thanks for the recipe!
Looks yummy 🙂
Macaroni and cheese is my favourite comfort food for fall!
Oh one of my favourites!! There is nothing like an amazing mac & cheese bake when it’s cold outside!! Thank you so much, pinned the recipe for use this week!
Looks so good, I might just need to try it
simple and easy. I love those kind of recipes. thank you
looks very tasty
Yum this sounds and looks delicious!!
This looks so yummy!
Mm, I love the idea of using Mexican blend of shredded cheese for more flavour.
Oh this looks so yum!!!
Looks yummy! Would like to try this recipe!
We love Mac & Cheese! I have to try this recipe…it sounds great and easy to make!!
Yum looks like a delicious meal
I love the crispness of a baked mac and cheese!
Perfect comfort food for a wintry day!
Great recipe for something I love.
Always looking for great Mac n Cheese recipes…this sounds yummy!