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4.3 from 375 votes

The BEST Baked Mac and Cheese

This baked mac and cheese features a dreamy combination of creamy gouda and havarti cheese for a silky, cheesy homemade mac and cheese sauce that tastes SO MUCH BETTER than the boxed kind.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 46263 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons dry mustard
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups shredded havarti cheese , (approx. 10 ounces total)
  • 3 cups shredded gouda cheese , (approx. 10 ounces total)
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or any short pasta noodle
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley , optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a deep bottom saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add mustard and flour. Whisk briskly for about 2 minutes to cook the flour. Pour in milk, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cheese until smooth and add salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Boil the pasta until just al dente. Drain the water and pour the pasta into the pot with the cheese sauce. Transfer the mixture to a 9 X 13 casserole dish. Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs. Cover with foil.
  4. Place mac and cheese in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and return the mac and cheese to the oven to continue baking for 10-15 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and golden brown. Top with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • When cooking your pasta, be sure to cook it just until al denté. When it's baked in the oven, the macaroni will continue to cook and you don't want to end up with mush.

Nutrition Information

Calories 462.63kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 36.8g (12%) Protein 21.92g (44%) Fat 25.19g (39%) Saturated Fat 15.42g (77%) Cholesterol 86.25mg (29%) Sodium 548.9mg (23%) Potassium 248.99mg (7%) Fiber 1.55g (6%) Sugar 5.39g (11%) Vitamin A 693.26IU (14%) Vitamin C 0.97mg (1%) Calcium 474.89mg (47%) Iron 1.03mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 46263

% Daily Value*

Calories 462.63kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 36.8g 12%
Protein 21.92g 44%
Fat 25.19g 39%
Saturated Fat 15.42g 77%
Cholesterol 86.25mg 29%
Sodium 548.9mg 23%
Potassium 248.99mg 5%
Fiber 1.55g 6%
Sugar 5.39g 11%
Vitamin A 693.26IU 14%
Vitamin C 0.97mg 1%
Calcium 474.89mg 47%
Iron 1.03mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.