Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
This Baked Cheddar Mac and Cheese is Macaroni and Cheese Recipe that is instantly a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound macaroni pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 quart half and half
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup grated gruyere cheese
- 1 1/2 cups grated white cheddar
- ½ cup smoked cheddar
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 dash ground nutmeg
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 and grease a large rectangular baking dish.
- Cook macaroni in salted water till al dente drain and cool.
- For cheese sauce, melt butter in large sauce pot, add flour and mix and cook for 1-2 minutes on low heat to make blonde roux. Slowly add cold half and half whisking in between additions to prevent lumps. Cook sauce for 5 minutes, then add heavy cream, cream cheese, smoked cheddar, Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, onion powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, season with salt and pepper.
- Mix gruyere and 1 cup of white cheddar with cold pasta. Add cheese sauce and mix well. Pour into greased baking dish top with rest of white cheddar. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes let stand 10 minutes before serving.