I get it, pre-grated cheese is convenient but it will not produce smooth sauce. My other important tip is to use good quality cheese, which you will grate yourself.This allows the breadcrumb topping to crisp up but leaves the sauce rich and gooey! Baking it longer is unnecessary since all ingredients are hot and cooked already. My biggest tip for baked macaroni and cheese is not to overbake it!! I put mine in the oven only for 10 minutes at 200C/400F.Things move on and we need to embrace the progress. Classic but with slightly better ingredients than they used in the 50s. Macaroni, practically swimming, in that creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with crispy breadcrumbs.Īnd that is exactly the recipe I am bringing to you today. We all imagine the same picture when we hear the words old fashioned mac and cheese. They want pure, unadulterated, classic version. All good efforts but not exactly the thing people want when the craving for mac and cheese hits. This inspired me to go on and make Bacon and Brie Mac and Cheese, then Layered Italian Macaroni and Cheese. My family and my readers fell in love with that creation. So I used funky shaped pasta, better (read “French”) cheese and smoky sausage. I wanted to make a more sophisticated version of the classic macaroni and cheese with cut-up hotdogs, my husband loved so much. The first one was Cheddar and Gruyere Mac and Cheese with Polish Kielbasa, which is actually pretty damn good. So I tried to re-invent it by coming up with my own interpretations.

So I wrongly assumed that macaroni and cheese, made the traditional way, was bland, stodgy and not exciting enough to repeat. Not sure why but most likely due to the fact I’ve been fed bad versions in the past. For a few brief moments, I feel like the woman of the hour. I don’t make it too often but whenever I do, a mini celebration ensues. My husband’s always been a diehard fan and passed his passion on to the kids. Serve with our Lemon Garlic Green Beans for a healthy and delicious side dish.Ĭreamy macaroni and cheese is in our family’s top 5 dishes. Old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese, topped with crispy and buttery herb and garlic breadcrumb topping.

Macaroni casserole with bread crumbs