Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese

By charlotteh371

Ingredients

• Equal parts chicken broth & water (to boil macaroni)
• 33 33
• cupscups macaroni (uncooked)
• 22 22
• tablespoonstablespoons butter SAVE $
• 22 22
• tablespoonstablespoons flour
• 11 11
• cupcup chicken broth
• 1/21/2 1/21/2
• cupcup half-and-half
• 1/21/2 1/21/2
• cupcup milk
• 1/21/2 1/21/2
• cupcup cream cheese, softened
• 44 44
• cupscups finely shredded cheeses (sharp cheddar*, mozzarella, gouda, muenster)
• 1/21/2 1/21/2
• teaspoonteaspoon black pepper
• A few dashes paprika

Preparation

Step 1

Steps
1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, combine equal parts water and chicken broth (just enough to cook your macaroni in) in a large pot and bring to a boil on the stovetop.
2
Add macaroni and cook until al dente according to instructions on box (usually about 7-8 minutes). When macaroni is done, drain and set aside.
3
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute, whisking constantly. Keep whisking as you add in 1 cup chicken broth, half-and-half, and milk; continue whisking until fully combined. You want the mixture to steam but NOT boil. Adjust your heat accordingly. Add in the cream cheese and stir until completely dissolved and smooth.
4
Remove pot from heat and add in 4 cups of cheese, stirring until smooth. Pour cheese mixture over cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Add some black pepper if you'd like.
5
Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with butter and pour mac and cheese into it. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until slightly jiggly, making sure not to overcook. The macaroni will set and firm up as it cools.