Ultra-Indulgent Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese, baked to creamy perfection, stands as a quintessential comfort dish—a culinary hug in a casserole. With countless variations out there, I hesitated to add yet another recipe to the mix. However, I couldn’t resist sharing my family’s beloved rendition, crafted over years of experimentation and refinement.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. dry elbow macaroni pasta
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk, at room temperature (2% works great, but whole milk is a fine alternative)
- 2 cups half-and-half, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 12 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese, at room temperature
- 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the package suggests for al dente (approximately 8 minutes). Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large Dutch oven (about 6-7 quarts) over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and half-and-half. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat.
- Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce. Gradually add all of the Velveeta cheese and half of the cheddar cheese (1 ½ cups). Stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the salt, dry mustard, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked, drained pasta and stir to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of grated cheddar on top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted on top and the sauce is bubbly.
- For a crispier, browner top, place the dish under the broiler for 2-5 minutes.
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this rich and creamy baked mac and cheese, sure to become a favorite in your household.