Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole
Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole brings together elbow macaroni, milk, and half and half. The method uses package directions for part of the cooking. The quick notes will help you get the small jobs lined up before you start.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 12 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Cuisine
- American
- Cooking method
- Baked & roasted
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: 31–60 minutes
- Budget (estimated)
- Low cost
- Dietary characteristics
- Vegetarian
- Dish type
- Casseroles · Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Keep the package nearby
The method uses package directions for part of the cooking. Read those before choosing your start time, especially if you have a different brand or package size.
2. Have the finishing ingredients ready
Some of the finishing happens after the pan comes off the heat. Have those ingredients ready and follow that order, rather than adding everything at the beginning.
3. Get the oven ready first
Start with the oven-preheating step in the recipe. Then use the preparation steps that follow to get the food ready for the hot oven.
Get to know the ingredients
Elbow macaroni
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Cook macaroni al dente according to package directions.
Milk
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
Half and half
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Preheat oven to 425°F.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 6 steps completeMake room for Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole
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
Keep the last little job in mind
The recipe finishes with this step: Cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Set out what you need for that finish before the cooking gets busy.
A little more help as you go
Set out the finishing ingredient
Keep the finishing ingredient within reach while the main preparation is going on. Add it at the step in the method so the last job is easy to complete.
Have the whisking step ready
Set out the ingredients for the whisking step together. Follow that part of the preparation before moving to the next cooking or mixing stage.
A few questions you might have
What should I get ready before starting?
Set out the oven and saucepan. Read the first preparation step before you get going: Preheat oven to 425°F.
Which little step is worth remembering?
The method uses package directions for part of the cooking. Read those before choosing your start time, especially if you have a different brand or package size.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
Keep this part of the method in view: Bake 18 to 24 minutes or until bubbly.
Is there another preparation step to plan for?
Keep the finishing ingredient within reach while the main preparation is going on. Add it at the step in the method so the last job is easy to complete.
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: Spend With Pennies. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
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