Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A crisp breadcrumb top covers creamy macaroni with plenty of sharp cheddar flavor. The little elbows catch the smooth cheese sauce, while mustard adds a quiet savory note. The browned edges make a particularly satisfying scoop from the baking dish.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 10 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course · Sides
- Cuisine
- American
- Cooking method
- Baking · Baked & roasted
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: 31–60 minutes
- Dish type
- Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Undercook the pasta
Boil the macaroni two minutes shy of its package directions so it can finish in the baked casserole.
2. Keep whisking
Gradually add warmed milk to the roux, continuing to whisk as it changes from clumpy to smooth.
3. Watch the broiler
If browning the topping under the broiler, watch closely and remove the casserole as soon as it turns golden.
Get to know the ingredients
Cheddar
Sharp cheddar joins cubed Velveeta in the thickened sauce; stir until both cheeses have melted.
Milk
Warm the milk for a minute in the microwave before gradually whisking it into the butter and flour.
Breadcrumbs
Toss the Italian style panko with melted butter before scattering it evenly over the assembled macaroni.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 9 steps completeMake room for Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Finish golden
Bake until bubbling and heated through, then use the optional short broil if you want a more browned topping.
A little more help as you go
Refrigerate before crumbs
For an overnight head start, assemble without breadcrumbs and refrigerate tightly covered before finishing the next day.
Loosen leftovers
Try stirring in about a tablespoon of milk per cup of macaroni before reheating.
A few questions you might have
Should the pasta be fully cooked first?
Cook it two minutes less than the package directions before draining and mixing it with the cheese sauce.
Why does the roux look clumpy at first?
It may form balls as milk goes in; keep gradually whisking in milk until the mixture becomes smooth.
Can I assemble this the night before?
Yes. Assemble without breadcrumbs, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, then let it lose its chill before topping and baking.
How long do leftovers keep?
Cool the macaroni and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to three to four days.
How do I get a browned top?
Broil for two to three minutes after baking, watching closely and removing it when golden brown.
Any more cooking tips?
Storage Transfer cooled leftover macaroni and cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheating Leftover Macaroni and Cheese Stir in about 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese, cover it with microwave-safe plastic wrap or a paper towel, and reheat it in the microwave until warmed through. Make Ahead Directions Assemble the casserole as directed without adding the bread crumbs. Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight. Allow the mac and cheese to rest on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes to take the chill off. The cheese sauce has a tendency to thicken as it chills so you might find you need to stir in a little milk before topping with the bread crumb mixture and baking as directed.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: fromvalerieskitchen.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
