Ina Garten Mac And Cheese from the “Barefoot Contessa Family Style” cookbook is really the best-baked mac and cheese recipe ever. This baked Ina Garten Mac And Cheese is made with elbow macaroni, a blend of Gruyère and extra-sharp Cheddar cheeses, a touch of nutmeg, and a buttery breadcrumb topping. Bake this homemade mac and cheese at 375°F for about 30 to 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the top is browned.
Simple to prepare, this easy Ina Garten Mac And Cheese pairs wonderfully with sides like toasty garlic bread or sautéed spinach.
Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
- 12 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (4 cups)
- 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
- Kosher salt
- Vegetable oil
- 1-quart milk
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
- 1-1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
How To Make Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F.
- Cook Macaroni: In a large pot of boiling salted water, add a drizzle of oil and the macaroni. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes as per package instructions. Drain well.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a separate pot, melt 6 tablespoons of butter and add flour. Cook for 2 minutes on low heat while stirring. Add hot milk and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens. Off the heat, add both cheeses, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the cooked macaroni.
- Assemble: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a 3-quart baking dish. Slice tomatoes and arrange them on top.
- Top and Bake: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and mix with bread crumbs. Sprinkle this over the macaroni. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly and browned on top.
How Long To Bake Mac And Cheese
According to Ina Garten, this Mac And Cheese should be baked in the oven at 375°F for about 30 to 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
Can You Make Ina Garten’s Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time?
Yes, this Ina Garten Mac And Cheese can be prepared a day ahead and baked the next day. Make sure to store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What Goes With Mac And Cheese
The best side dishes that go well with this Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese are:
How Long Does Mac And Cheese Last In The Fridge
Leftover Mac And Cheese can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days. Make sure to let the Mac And Cheese cool before storing it in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze Mac And Cheese
Yes, this Ina Garten Mac And Cheese can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply cool the dish, then freeze it in an airtight container. When ready to serve again, reheat in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Try More Ina Garten Recipes:
- Ina Garten Lobster Tail Recipe
- Ina Garten Seafood Lasagna
- Ina Garten Lobster Bisque
- Ina Garten Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
- Barefoot Contessa Peach Salad
Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese
Description
Ina Garten Mac And Cheese from the “Barefoot Contessa Family Style” cookbook is really the best-baked mac and cheese recipe ever. This baked Ina Garten Mac And Cheese is made with elbow macaroni, a blend of Gruyère and extra-sharp Cheddar cheeses, a touch of nutmeg, and a buttery breadcrumb topping. Baked at 375°F for about 30 to 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the top is browned.
Simple to prepare, this easy Ina Garten Mac And Cheese pairs wonderfully with sides like toasty garlic bread or sautéed spinach.
Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese Ingredients
How To Make Barefoot Contessa Mac And Cheese
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F.
- Cook Macaroni: In a large pot of boiling salted water, add a drizzle of oil and the macaroni. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes as per package instructions. Drain well.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a separate pot, melt 6 tablespoons of butter and add flour. Cook for 2 minutes on low heat while stirring. Add hot milk and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens. Off the heat, add both cheeses, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the cooked macaroni.
- Assemble: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a 3-quart baking dish. Slice tomatoes and arrange them on top.
- Top and Bake: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and mix with bread crumbs. Sprinkle this over the macaroni. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly and browned on top.