Ultimate Comfort Mac and Cheese Bake
Indulge in the rich and velvety goodness of this Ultimate Comfort Mac and Cheese Bake. This homemade masterpiece combines creamy textures with a delightful cheesy flavor to create the perfect dish for gatherings or a cozy night in. Each bite features the quintessential combination of elbow macaroni enveloped in a luxurious cheese sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch. With options to customize by adding your favorite meats or keeping it vegetarian, this recipe has something for everyone. It's not just a side dish; it's the main star of any meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
uncooked elbow macaroni
2 1/2 cups (uncooked)
butter or margarine
6 tablespoons (divided)
all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
2% low-fat milk or nonfat milk
2 cups (none)
processed American cheese
8 ounces (cubed)
small curd cottage cheese
1 1/3 cups (none)
regular or light sour cream
2/3 cup (none)
shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups (shredded)
soft breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups (none)
cubed cooked chicken or browned ground beef
1 1/2 cups (cooked and optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
3
In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour, salt, and sugar, cooking for about 1 minute until a smooth paste forms.
4
Gradually whisk in the milk, bringing the mixture to a boil. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
5
Reduce the heat to low and add the cubed American cheese, stirring until it's completely melted. Then, mix in the cottage cheese and sour cream until well combined.
6
Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni in the baking dish and stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated. At this point, you can fold in your cooked chicken, ground beef, or leave it vegetarian.
7
Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
8
In a small bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss it with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheddar cheese layer.
9
Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly with a golden-brown crust.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Comfort Mac and Cheese Bake?
It is a homemade baked pasta dish featuring elbow macaroni in a rich, velvety sauce made with American, cottage, and cheddar cheeses.
What type of pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 2 1/2 quart baking dish is recommended, and it should be greased before use.
How should the macaroni be cooked?
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture, then drain it.
How do I make the base for the cheese sauce?
Melt 4 tablespoons of butter, then stir in flour, salt, and sugar to create a smooth paste before adding milk.
What kinds of milk can I use?
You can use either 2% low-fat milk or nonfat milk for this recipe.
How long do I cook the milk and flour mixture?
Whisk the milk in and bring it to a boil, then cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
What type of American cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of processed American cheese, which should be cubed for easier melting.
Does this recipe use cottage cheese?
Yes, 1 1/3 cups of small curd cottage cheese are mixed into the sauce for extra creaminess.
Can I use light sour cream in this mac and cheese?
Yes, you can use either regular or light sour cream.
Is there sugar in the cheese sauce?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is included in the sauce base to balance the flavors.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Yes, you can fold in 1 1/2 cups of cubed cooked chicken or browned ground beef before topping it with cheese.
What type of cheddar cheese is best for the topping?
You can use 2 cups of either shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese.
How do I prepare the breadcrumb topping?
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and toss it with 1 1/2 cups of soft breadcrumbs before sprinkling over the cheese.
How long does the casserole bake?
Bake the mac and cheese uncovered for 30 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is done?
It is finished when the sauce is hot and bubbly and the topping has a golden-brown crust.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
The recipe is vegetarian as written, but provides the option to add chicken or ground beef if desired.
What makes the sauce velvety?
The combination of processed American cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream creates a luxurious, smooth texture.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either butter or margarine.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients listed, including the optional meat add-ins.
Do I need to cover the dish while it bakes?
No, the instructions specify to bake the casserole uncovered to ensure the topping gets crispy.
What is the first step in making the cheese sauce?
The first step is melting butter over medium heat and mixing in flour, salt, and sugar for about 1 minute.
Can I use different types of breadcrumbs?
The recipe specifies soft breadcrumbs for the best texture.
What is the role of the roux in this recipe?
The butter and flour mixture (roux) acts as a thickener for the milk-based sauce.
Can I use whole milk instead?
While the recipe suggests 2% or nonfat, whole milk can be used for an even richer result.
What heat level should I use to melt the American cheese?
Reduce the heat to low before adding the cubed American cheese to prevent scorching.
Is this dish suitable for gatherings?
Yes, its creamy texture and crunchy topping make it a popular choice for groups or cozy dinners.
How do I ensure the macaroni doesn't get mushy?
Cooking the pasta to 'al dente' before baking ensures it maintains its shape after the 30-minute oven time.
What provides the 'crunch' in this recipe?
The crunch comes from the final layer of buttered soft breadcrumbs baked until golden brown.