Creamy Baked Mac 'N Cheese for #OurFamilyTable

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Christie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures said: "Continuing with the dairy month theme, bring your A game to this mac and cheese event.  Have an easy and delicious recipe?  A kicked up recipe?  A unique trick or tip for the creamiest, cheesiest, and most scrumptious mac and cheese?  Do share!"

This is such a deliciously decadent, creamy, CHEESY mac 'n cheese recipe! It disappeared in less than a day at my house. The original recipe (linked below) is doubled this, for a 9x13 sized baking dish - but for our family of 4 a 2-quart was perfect for a meal with a little bit leftover. You can easily mix and match the cheeses to use what you have available, tweak the seasonings, sprinkle on some bacon, or even a crushed chip or cracker crust before baking if you'd like. The options are endless! If you like a super creamy, cheesy mac 'n cheese - definitely give this one a try!

See all of our Magnificent Mac and Cheese Recipes - and try them soon!

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Brat and Beer Mac and Cheese by Cheese Curd In Paradise

Creamy Baked Mac N Cheese by Making Miracles

Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Low-Carb Cauliflower Mac N Cheese by Art of Natural Living

Smoked 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Smoked Gouda & Cheddar Mac N Cheese by Sweet Beginnings

Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures

Creamy Baked Mac 'N Cheese

Ingredients
8-oz dried elbow pasta
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
1 cup half and half
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese, divided
3/4 tsp salt, more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, more to taste
1/8 tsp paprika, more to taste

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and add the macaroni noodles; cook to al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 2-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
3. In a pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour once melted, stirring constantly for a couple minutes to cook the flour. Add in the milk and half and half. Whisk, stirring often, until mixture comes to a low simmer and thickens into a smooth sauce.
4. Turn off the heat, stir in the seasonings and 1/3 of the grated cheeses. Stir until blended and the cheese has melted. You should have a thick, luscious cheesy sauce. Taste, and adjust the seasonings as desired.
5. Add the cheese sauce to the cooked noodles and stir to coat and blend together.
6. Spread half of the saucy noodles into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle on half of the remaining grated cheese. Top with the last of the cheesy noodles, and finally the last of the grated cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven 15-20 minutes, until everything is bubbly, melted, and the cheese has started to lightly brown.
8. Allow to rest a few minutes before digging in!

Recipe adapted from: from The Chunky Chef

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