Excuse me while I dive face first into this cheesy pasta.
So you all remember your childhood Mac and Cheese? I’m not going to name any names here, but it’s the kind of Mac and Cheese that you get in a box with the weird colored powdered cheese? The one that Wikipedia names a contender as the Canadian national food. (You know I’m proud to be Canadian when..)
Well you can throw those boxes away. This is the Mac and Cheese recipe to end all Mac and Cheese recipes.
I actually made this Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe a long time ago. Like a loooonnngg time ago, back in the beginning of January. When everyone was on a diet, and was vowing to eat healthy and all that good stuff… there I was making the most heart-attack inducing macaroni and cheese recipe. Way to go my resolutions.
So I decided to hold off on the recipe until most people give up their resolutions. Beginning of February? Yeah, I am seeing less people at the gym (including me). Time to pull out the old cheese casserole, featuring pasta. Aka: this Mac and Cheese.
What you need to make Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- elbow macaroni
- butter
- evaporated milk
- milk
- eggs
- garlic salt
- cheddar cheese
- mozarella cheese
- paprika
We are also rounding the corner to Valentine’s Day, which means that you might want to start thinking of meals to make your significant other. And my advice to you is: the way into anyone’s heart is through cheese. This is certainly true for me.
Usually my fridge is stocked with at least 5 different types of cheeses. At this point in time, we just got back from a long holiday and I only had two types: cheddar and mozzarella. Making a quick and easy mac and cheese? Put in ALL THE CHEESE!! Which means the only two I have on hand.
Even though this Baked Macaroni and Cheese was so good I’m still thinking about it, this will not be a recipe I make all that often. First: let me break this down as a math teacher. Cheese > Pasta. Which, to be honest, isn’t really a bad thing in a mac and cheese recipe. But then again, probably not a good thing for an everyday meal. And secondly… have you seen the ingredients list? Definitely a special occasions side dish.
Wednesdays are a special occasion..right?
If you wanted a stovetop version, try my Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese.
And if you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 4 Tbsp salted butter
- 2 (370 mL/12 oz) cans evaporated milk
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and macaroni, and cook until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Add in the butter and stir until the butter is melted. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the evaporated milk, milk, eggs and garlic salt until fully combined. In a separate bowl, mix together the cheeses.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Layer 1/3 of the macaroni, then 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining macaroni and cheese mixture. Pour the milk mixture over top. Sprinkle the paprika evenly on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
I followed this recipe to the T but the bottom of the dish was just liquid. Any idea why this happened?
I am not sure! This has never happened to me. Did you use cooked pasta or dry?
I made this today as written and it was a big hit! I think I’ll try Colby Jack cheese instead of mozzarella the next time, just for grins. Question, why the layers? Can the elbow macaroni and cheese just be mixed together and then add a top layer of cheese?
I’ll have to try it with Colby Jack too, that sounds great!
I suppose you can mix them together. This is just always the way that I have made it.
This is as close to what we had back in the dark ages as I have ever seen.Somehow I think we used dried mustard in ours. Back in the day we had never heard of brunch. A giant pan of macaroni and cheese on Sundays with aged New York cheddar with the black wax over it, baked golden brown was wonderful.
A couple of years back someone brought a dish made with penne and three kinds of cheese.
I have never made Mac & Cheese in the box.
Just made it and it was delicious. Everyone loved it. Thank you for sharing.I wish I could post a picture.
So glad you liked it 🙂
I have made this every year for thanksgiving for the past 3 years. Best Mac n cheese ever!
That makes me so happy to hear!
Of all the recipes I’ve tried this is the only one I cooked where there whole pan was cleared out in one day. My cousin looked at me and said “Now this is baked mac and cheese”. Me and my family loved this recipe. Thank you do much for sharing your recipe.
That makes me so happy to hear! I am so glad that it was a hit! 🙂
Really very tasteful. I have replaced 1 can of evaporated milk with normal milk and it was still delishes. I have added 200g fried bacon an little garlic an parsley as well
The bacon addition sounds amazing!!
Best recipe ever. So easy and Yummy.🥰
So glad you liked it 🙂
I would recommend mixing all ingredients together and then sprinkling with paprika. Cooking is science after all. Also 2 and 1/2 cups of dried elbows are more than enough.
If you like old school authentic baked macaroni and cheese then this recipe is for you. This is the real deal and you really cannot go wrong if you follow the recipe as written. Not saying that you can’t embellish and change or add things to suit your preference but I am saying that this recipe is perfect as written. Comes out just like the pictures perfectly browned and cheesy. As we say in the hood – Cathleen you are invited to the cookout!
This comment just made my day! I am so happy you liked it!
Mac & Cheese Perfection! The whole family loves it.
That makes me so happy to hear!!
Hi! Can you cook this in a crock pot? If so how long?
I have never made this in a crock pot! Unfortunately I had to give mine away when I moved so I can’t test it out for you.