Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm, gooey Easy Baked Mac and Cheese

This easy baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is a convenient one-dish
version that is as easy as the boxed stuff but and tastes much better.

To make things totally simple, cook the macaroni without having to heat up the water or toast the elbows in a separate pan. Cooking the macaroni at a relatively moderate temperature in a mixture of water and evaporated milk helps do just that while also establishing a creamy base for the cheese sauce.

For the cheese, stir in a meltable blend of shredded sharp cheddar and American cheeses at the end of baking provides a perfectly and evenly cooked macaroni in a lush, smooth sauce. For the topping, use Panko bread crumbs, browned in the microwave
and sprinkled on before serving, provided irresistible crunch.
Cabot Vermont Boar’s Head or Tillamook Sharp Cheddar and American cheese works very well and provides great taste.

Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
Serves 4
Total time: 1 Hour

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 13 by 9-inch 8 baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Spread { macaroni in prepared dish.

Whisk 2 cups water, evaporated milk, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in bowl. Pour mixture into dish and stir gently to combine.

Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake, stirring occasionally. until macaroni is nearly tender and most liquid has been macaroni evenly with sauce and let cool for
absorbed, about 30 minutes.

Remove dish from oven and stir macaroni thoroughly, scraping sides and bottom of dish. Stir in cheddar, American cheese and remaining 1//2 cup water. Cover dish with foil and continue to bake until macaroni is tender and cheese is melted – about 5 – to 8 minutes longer.

Remove dish from oven. Stir to coat macaroni evenly with sauce and let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with toasted pinko bread crumbs before serving.

TOASTING PANKO BREAD CRUMBS

To prepare the Panko bread crumbs for toasting, toss them with oil in a shallow dish and season them with salt and pepper. Microwave the crumb

Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe Ingredients

12 ounces (3 cups) elbow macaroni
2 1/2 cups water
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Salt and pepper
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (l 1/2 cups)
6 ounces American cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs, toasted