Category: Breakfast & Lunch, Supper & Special Occassions
Cooking Method: Baked
Yields:
1 Serving
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 30 Mins
Cook Time:
30 Mins
Total Time:
1 Hr
Hello comfort food, it’s me calling! Homemade, baked, cheesy macaroni that is so easy, it’s dangerous. This is the real deal, no shortcuts. It’s full fat, full cheese, full butter and full-blown delicious. Did I mention the crunchy, buttery topping? You can even call it meal prep, there will be leftovers if you use some self-restraint.
Eat it for lunch, eat it for breakfast, watch out because dinner is the only obvious option here. I’ll be honest, it’s hard not to have it for dessert too, especially if you take my individual baking dish suggestion. (Check out the recipe notes!) This will impress everyone at the dinner table and seconds are non-negotiable. Now gimme some oven and get cookin’!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and reserve the macaroni.
- In a 5 quart heavy pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, cook until translucent, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes. Whisk in the flour to coat the onion. In a slow and steady stream, whisk in the milk until there are no lumps.
- Cook, whisking often, until the mixture is thick and bubbly, about 6-8 minutes. It should coat the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the cayenne and 1 cup of each cheese, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the macaroni with the cheese mixture, fold in the ham or bacon. (Maybe both!) Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese and enough panko to make a crispy top. It should take only 1⁄4 cup or so. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden.
Notes
- Try Colby, Monterey Jack, and Gruyere cheese for different flavour and textures
- Seasoned or unseasoned Panko breadcrumbs will work - heck, even stale bread slices pulsed in the food processor will work. Crakers! Try some crackers, cheesy Ritz, it'll be worth it.
- Want individual servings? This recipe will make enough to fill 8 12-16 ounce baking dishes. Divide evening and sprinkle the topping evenly. Bake for only 15-20 minutes until golden!
- Extra ingredients that will enhance your adventure; jalapeno, garlic, everything bagel seasoning, red pepper, hot peppers or even buffalo wing sauce!
- Don't thicken the sauce as much and it'll freeze perfectly! (don't add the topping until right before you bake)
- Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Individual frozen mac and cheese for lunch! ... I'll be right back!