The Best Dang Mac and Cheese
The Best Dang Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup onion, grated
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 pound white American cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pound pasta, cooked, such as cavatappi or large elbow macaroni
For the Topping
- Cheez-Its, as needed, crushed
- Cheddar Jack cheese, as needed, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large pan or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the grated onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Stir in the mustard powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Add the Worcestershire sauce and mix thoroughly, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Gradually sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, whisking continuously to combine it with the butter and spices. Cook this roux for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Slowly whisk in the whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring a smooth consistency before adding more. Continue whisking until the mixture is beautifully combined and begins to thicken into a creamy sauce base.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded white American cheese, medium cheddar cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese to the sauce. Stir continuously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is gooey and uniform.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until all the noodles are fully coated with the rich cheese sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Crush a handful of Cheez-Its and sprinkle them evenly over the top of the mac and cheese. Follow with an additional layer of shredded Cheddar Jack cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Bake the mac and cheese in the preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 400
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
The Best Dang Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup onion, grated
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 pound white American cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pound pasta, cooked, such as cavatappi or large elbow macaroni
For the Topping
- Cheez-Its, as needed, crushed
- Cheddar Jack cheese, as needed, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large pan or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the grated onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Stir in the mustard powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Add the Worcestershire sauce and mix thoroughly, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Gradually sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, whisking continuously to combine it with the butter and spices. Cook this roux for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Slowly whisk in the whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring a smooth consistency before adding more. Continue whisking until the mixture is beautifully combined and begins to thicken into a creamy sauce base.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded white American cheese, medium cheddar cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese to the sauce. Stir continuously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is gooey and uniform.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until all the noodles are fully coated with the rich cheese sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Crush a handful of Cheez-Its and sprinkle them evenly over the top of the mac and cheese. Follow with an additional layer of shredded Cheddar Jack cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Bake the mac and cheese in the preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 400