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Mac and cheese
Stroller Envy

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz dried elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided, plus 1 teaspoon for dish
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan divided
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 375°F; butter a 9x13-inch dish with extra teaspoon. Boil macaroni 2 minutes less than package directions; drain.
  2. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; simmer, stirring, 4–5 minutes until lightly thickened. Remove from heat; add cheddar, 1/4 cup Parmesan, mustard, salt and pepper.
  3. Stir macaroni into sauce; spread in dish. Melt remaining tablespoon butter; mix with panko and remaining Parmesan. Sprinkle over pasta.
  4. Bake 20–25 minutes, until bubbling and center reaches 165°F. Rest 10 minutes.

Notes

Equipment: 9x13-inch baking dish, large skillet, large mixing bowl, instant-read thermometer.
Serving size: 1/6 of the recipe.
For freezer meals, divide the baked casserole into shallow portions and refrigerate promptly, within 2 hours. Once cold, wrap airtight and freeze for up to 2 months for best texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat thawed portions covered at 350°F for about 25–35 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F; larger portions take longer. Use a metal pan or follow your baking-dish manufacturer’s temperature-change directions.
For a crisper topping, freeze the cooked pasta and sauce without crumbs, then add freshly mixed breadcrumbs and butter for the final 10–15 minutes of reheating. Loosen thawed pasta with a splash of milk if needed.
Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F); use within 3–4 days. Reheat the center to 165°F.