How to Make Macaroni and Cheese--Best Mac & Cheese Casserole

Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole: Bubbly, Crispy, Delicious!

Macaroni and cheese casserole is one of those comfort foods that is a favorite on many peoples' list. It makes a great casserole to feed a crowd and is a good item to serve at picnics or potlucks.

Macaroni and cheese casserole can even be made ahead and frozen. It is not hard to assemble and if you have your cheese grated ahead of time, you can make a large pan in about half an hour.

This recipe uses a white sauce and breadcrumbs for a delightfully tasty and crunchy casserole.

If you like hearty recipes, a pan of homemade macaroni and cheese is hard to beat.

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Mac and Cheese Casserole Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (8 ounces) elbow macaroni

• 1 small onion chopped fine

• 2-4 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp. flour

• 1/2-1 tsp. dry mustard (depending on preference)

• 1 tsp. salt

• onion powder

• paprika

• seasoned salt

• 1/4 tsp. pepper

• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 1-2 cups milk

• 1 pkg. cheddar cheese, grated

• 2 pimientos, diced (optional)

• 1/2- 1 cup cup breadcrumbs

• 3 tomatoes, sliced into wedges (optional)

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I like using a large enamel pan for my mac and cheese as pictured above. These pans take a beating and they keep everything warm for a long time, which is great if you are serving a crowd. A dish with a lid is preferable to an open-faced casserole pan because the lid keeps heat in, in the interior.

At times, I make my mac and cheese ahead and freeze it right in the pan, by covering the casserole pan in a large plastic freezer bag.

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1. Grease casserole dish.
2. Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water. Drain.

White Sauce

Saute onion in butter. Whisk in flour, mustard, salt, pepper, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce; whisk in milk and simmer until mixture thickens.

Layer macaroni, white sauce, cheese and breadcrumbs in a casserole dish. Top with grated cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs. (The breadcrumbs are essential--they make your mac & cheese crispy and tasty.)

Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes until mixture is bubbly and crispy around the edges.

Remove mac and cheese casserole from oven and let sit 5 minutes.

This recipe makes the best homemade macaroni and cheese I've ever tasted.

* Adjust amounts of cheese and seasonings to taste.

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• Grate and freeze your cheese ahead of time so that when you go to make mac and cheese this is already done.Grease casserole dish for easy clean-up later. Grease along top edge to prevent cheese sticking.
• Run a knife around edge of casserole dish as soon as you remove it from oven. This prevents cheese sticking to sides of dish.
• Cut your mac and cheese into squares before cheese hardens. This makes for easier removal for servings.
• Use a lidded casserole dish so that your casserole stays warm.

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