Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac 'N Cheese Recipe
Creamy, cheesy and baked until bubbly with a buttery, crunchy cheese cracker topping! This Baked Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and an irresistible side dish for family dinners, holidays and gatherings.
Servings: 8
Calories: 317kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium pasta shells
- 2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup baked cheese crackers crushed, such as Cheez-Its
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Coat a 2.5-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Combine 1/4 cup evaporated milk and flour, stirring until smooth and blended.
- In the pasta pot, cook the evaporated milk mixture, remaining evaporated milk, 2 cups cheddar cheese, Worcestershire, dry mustard, kosher salt, pepper and reserved pasta water over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the mixture is thickened, smooth and blended, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. If you are preparing this recipe ahead, you can refrigerate it at this point until you are ready to top it and bake it, as per the instructions in the notes below.
- Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
- Combine crushed crackers and melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pasta is hot and bubbly.
Notes
Makes 10 cups/8 servings.
Make Ahead Directions:
- Prepare the recipe to the point as instructed above in the recipe.
- When you are ready to bake the casserole, remove baking dish from refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
- Continue preparing topping with remaining cheese and cracker topping.
- Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and pasta is heated through.
Nutrition
Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 445IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 0.3mg