Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Show: Good EatsEpisode: For Whom the Cheese Melts 2

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (1054)

Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 to 8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 45 min
Total:: 1 hr 5 min

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Ingredients

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper

Topping:

3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.

Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Kathi Olathe, KS 02-09-2010
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Baked Mac & cheese
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

For some reason I couldn't get the toping to stay crispy. It is just kind of blah. but the rest of it is great. I was really... hoping to have a crispy crust though. Question, for the leftovers, what is the best way to fry the mac and cheese? Read more
recipe Baked Macaroni and Cheese
susan hyattsville, MD 02-09-2010
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Like my mother's recipe in Trinidad
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I know this is a great version of mac and cheese, it is also the identical recipe my mother has been making for over 4o years... in Trinidad, W.I. I give it 3 stars because it is not original.Read more
recipe Baked Macaroni and Cheese
barbara hampden, MA 02-08-2010
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really horrible
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

We made this exactly as written, and threw the whole mess out. The onion overwhelmed EVERYTHING, it was really gross. I'll ... try it again without the onions, because I love Alton, but, trust me - onions do not belong in mac and cheeseRead more
recipe Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Athena Oviedo, FL 02-08-2010
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Excellent Baked Mac Comfort Food
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I've tried many mac and cheese recipes and I can say that my family and I love this one. Add in a little guyere cheese too,... and make sure you properly salt the water. Read more
recipe Baked Macaroni and Cheese
brandi Edingburg, TX 02-07-2010
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Good with modifications
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

This is a good base recipe for mac and cheese. I made the recipe to the tee and it was way too BLAND for my family. I then... made it again with Velveta and soooo much better. It added the flavor that was missing.Read more
recipe Baked Macaroni and Cheese
cat Honolulu, HI 02-07-2010
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meh
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I would do some things different next time: 1) use less onion unless you're into that strong onion flavor. you can omit... if you don't like onion. i found it odd to have onion in a classic dish, and my gut was right: leave it out if you don't care much for it. 2) add salt. it's pretty bland. 3) i like thatgolden brown panko crust on the mac and cheese- just put it on broil for the last minute. be careful or you'll burn the topping! over all: meh Read more