Ah…Macaroni & Cheese…the ultimate comfort food that every family out there! Our boys pretty much grew up on it, as I’m sure it’s a favorite in your home too! The soft, tender macaroni mixed with the creamy cheese sauce, you just can’t go wrong! Oh, and of course, we just had to add some bacon too! So, if you want to find out my simple and quick baked macaroni and cheese recipe, stick around!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese: TIPS
Most macaroni is easy to make, and this is no different. However, the small difference is that, while other pasta dishes may lose their soul, this dish has heart. You can feel the love that’s baked into every noodle. So, even though it’s a small difference, it’s one you can definitely taste! Now, let’s point out some basic tips regarding this recipe:
- First of all, the cooking process is pretty easy, although you do need some time to cook the cheese sauce and not be distracted. Starting with a simple rue of butter and flour, then adding the milk. Basically, it’s the same process as gravy, just a bit different.
- Adding the beaten egg was a first for me, so I can totally feel the struggle. Just be sure to temper it by drizzling about 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg and whisking.
- We used Sharp Cheddar Cheese and grated it with the box grater, but you can certainly buy shredded bagged cheese.
- Also, the bacon was baked in the oven, we have found it cooks more evenly and you don’t have the mess in your kitchen. Just place an oven-safe cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet, and cook the bacon at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.
- However, do not forget that the strips of bacon are totally optional. So, if you are not into meat in your baked macaroni and cheese, it’s ok. I prefer to add some pork flavor, as my family (especially kids) are inlove with its taste. Therefore, you do you and the results will be amazing!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese: RECIPE
Finally, it’s time to start rocking these baked macaroni and cheese! Keep in mind that you are the star in your kitchen, so try to have some fun during the process. I’ve always believed that if you love what you are doing, the results will be sprinkled with some excellence.
Last but not least, I strongly recommend you to gather and prepare all the essentials and ingredients before getting started. Also, if you read the recipe several times at first, it will surely be helpful throughout the cooking process.
PrintHomestyle Baked Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
Description
Comfort food at it’s best. Recipe from PocketChangeGourmet.com
Ingredients
- 4 cups dry macaroni
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/4 cup {1/2 stick} butter
- 1/4 cup flour, all-purpose
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 pound, 16 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook macaroni until almost done
- In a small bowl, beat egg
- In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle flour. Whisk together over medium low heat.
- Cook mixture for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, until smooth and bubbly
- Gradually add milk and add mustard, whisk until smooth.
- Cook for about 5 minutes until thick.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Take 1/4 cup milk mixture and drizzle into egg, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
- Add egg mixture to milk mixture, whisk until smooth.
- Add cheese and stir until melted
- Add salt, seasoned salt and pepper to taste
- Add bacon
- Fold in cooked macaroni
- Pour into buttered baking dish, add bacon if desired and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
Final Toughts
All in all, this is all there is! Wasn’t that easy and fun afterall? Now, it’s finally time for you to tell me all there is about your experience with the Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe in the comment section. Was it as hard as you might think in the beginning? Did you impress your loved ones with it? Were your kids satisfied with this mouth-watering dish? Also, did you improvise or improve the basic recipe? If so, how? Tell us everything!
Last but not least, do not forget that I’m always here for you! So, if you have any further questions or curiosities about the ingredients I used or my methods, ask them! I love knowing I could give a hand!
13 Comments
This looks just perfect – can’t beat a classic homestyle macaroni cheese 🙂
Love the addition of bacon, looks great!
Such a classic! I love it! Thanks for helping us kick off our event!
Now this is a mac and cheese to be reckoned with! Simple and classic!
This mac n cheese looks absolutely delicious! I love using an egg in mac n cheese, make the dish so rich. Thanks for sharing!
OMGoodness…I made this tonight…it being my first attempt at homemade mac and cheese…I was hoping for edible at best…it came out DELICIOUSLY edible…! This recipe produced (even with myself as the cook)…well, I’d have to say…THE BESTEST EVER mac and cheese I have EVER tasted!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this AMAZING recipe…! 😀
I’m so excited you liked it Kandi! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know!
Happy Cooking!
~Liz
How many servings for this dish?
Hi Crystal, the macaroni and cheese will serve 6-8, depending on how large the serving is. If you have macaroni and cheese lovers, I would plan on 4 servings.
~Liz
Just made this tonight but I left out the bacon – still delicious. I’m definitely making it again, but probably going to reduce the mustard and add some onion and garlic. Thanks!
So glad you liked it Sam, thanks for stopping by!
~Liz
I don’t usually cmoment on these but I feel the need to let you know how awesome this recipe is. I have made tons of mac and cheese recipes in the past, and have not found any that can match this. The addition of the mustard powder added just enough tang to make it taste delicious. Thanks for giving me my go to mac and cheese 🙂
We are excited you like the Mac & Cheese Leanna!
Happy Cooking!
~Liz