Baked Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

This baked macaroni and cheese dish features a Cheddar cheese sauce and a buttery cracker topping.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 810 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 4 cups milk
• 1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed
• 2 ½ cups elbow macaroni

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.

Step 3

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Turn off heat and stir in Cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted. Add the macaroni and stir to coat. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the 1/4 remaining cup melted butter and crushed crackers together in a bowl; scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the macaroni mixture.

Step 5

Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 45 minutes.