Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, gooey brown butter mac and cheese with a crispy cheese top: pure comfort and just so, so good ♡
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Baked Mac and Cheese
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 3 reviews)
servings
4
prep time
15 min
cook time
25 min
Ingredients
- 2 cups (200 g) uncooked pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 + 1/2 (adjust) cup full cream milk
- 3/4 cup fresh (heavy) cream
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (reserve half for layering)
- 2/3 cup grated mozzarella (reserve half for layering)
- fresh coriander, for garnish
Instructions:
- Grate the cheese: Grate the cheddar and mozzarella and set it aside. Make sure the cheese is at room temperature by the time you need to use it.
- Boil the pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente. Do not overcook, drain and set aside.
- Prepare the milk and cream mixture: In a separate saucepan, combine the milk and cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, just to reduce it slightly. Turn off the heat and let it cool a bit while you prepare the sauce. By the time you use it, the mixture should be warm, not hot and not cold.
- Brown the butter: Heat a pan on medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt and cook, stirring frequently until it turns light brown and smells nutty and toasty. This adds a deep, caramelised flavour to the sauce.
- Make the roux: Lower the heat and add the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, chilli powder and black pepper. Cook on very low heat, stirring constantly till the raw smell of the flour disappears and the spices become fragrant.
- Add the milk and cream gradually: Add the warm milk and cream mixture in batches, whisking well after each addition. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and forms a smooth, saucy béchamel. Repeat until all the liquid is incorporated and the sauce is glossy and lump free.
- Add the cheese (off heat): Turn the heat off completely. Add the grated cheese in small batches, mixing well after each addition. Continue till all the cheese has melted and the sauce looks luscious, smooth and glossy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and gently fold until evenly coated.
- Assemble for baking: Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish. Add a layer of grated cheese on top. Spoon over the remaining mac and cheese and finish with another layer of cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C for 13–15 minutes till the top is lightly golden and the inside looks melty and creamy.
- Finish and serve: Remove from the oven, top with chopped coriander and serve hot, enjoyy!
Recipe Video
Leave a Comment
December 28, 2025
Hey, love all your recipes. Just a suggestion- please add the brand details of the things that you use (like the cheeses in this case). It would make things more convenient 🙂
December 27, 2025
SCRUMPTIOUS!!
December 26, 2025
Can you bake in a microvawe the mac and cheese shivangi
