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Ultimate Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

groups8 servingsspeedMediumcountertopsPrep: 15 minsskilletCook: 35 minsscheduleTotal: 50 minsoutdoor_grillBaked
Allergens:warningGlutenwarningDairy

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

10 Steps Total
01
Preparation
00:00:14

Boil elbow macaroni in a pot of water without adding oil or butter.

local_fire_departmentHigh heat
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Watch out

Do not add oil or butter to the water, or the cheese sauce will not cling properly to the pasta.

Ingredients:elbow macaroni (16 piece)
Tools:pot
02
Preparation
00:00:56

Add 1 tsp of salt to the boiling macaroni water and mix.

local_fire_departmentHigh heat
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Watch out

Stir the salt in well so it dissolves evenly in the boiling water.

Ingredients:Salt (1 tsp)
Tools:wooden spoon
03
Active Cooking
00:02:56

In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, add 2 tablespoons of flour, and whisk for 2 minutes until you get a doughy crumb consistency.

local_fire_departmentMedium heat, 2 minutes
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Watch out

Do not cook the roux until it turns brown, or your sauce will taste burnt.

Ingredients:butter (2 tbsp)all-purpose flour (2 tbsp)
Tools:saucepanwhisk
04
Active Cooking
00:03:35

Gradually whisk in 2 cans of evaporated milk until you get a smooth paste, then whisk until warm.

local_fire_departmentMedium heat
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Watch out

Add milk gradually, otherwise you will get a very lumpy consistency.

Ingredients:evaporated milk (2 piece)
Tools:whisk
05
Active Cooking
00:04:33

Add 1 tsp of grounded annatto and mix until you get your desired color.

local_fire_departmentMedium heat
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Watch out

Add the annatto while the milk is thin so it mixes in easily without clumping.

Ingredients:grounded annatto (1 tsp)
Tools:whisk
06
Active Cooking
00:05:00

Add 1.5 blocks of Velveeta cheese and half of the sharp cheddar cheese, turn up to medium-high heat, and whisk continuously until the sauce thickens.

local_fire_departmentMedium-high heat, approx. 15 minutes
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Watch out

Continuously whisk the sauce while it is on the heat, otherwise the bottom will burn.

Ingredients:Velveeta Cheese (1.5 piece)Sharp Cheddar Cheese (0.5 piece)
Tools:whisk
07
Active Cooking
00:06:14

Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and mix them together.

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Watch out

Pour the sauce evenly so every piece of macaroni is coated.

Ingredients:elbow macaroni
Tools:foil pan
08
Active Cooking
00:06:37

Top the macaroni with the remaining sharp cheddar cheese and 0.33 block of Monterey Jack cheese.

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Watch out

Spread the cheeses evenly across the surface to get a consistent crust when baked.

Ingredients:Sharp Cheddar Cheese (0.5 piece)aged Monterey Jack cheese (0.33 piece)
Tools:foil pan
09
Active Cooking
00:06:58
warningStay safe

Use oven mitts when handling hot pans from the oven to avoid severe burns.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake on the top shelf of the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes.

local_fire_department375°F, 10 minutes
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Watch out

Cover with foil tightly for the first 10 minutes so all flavors marry without burning the top too early.

Tools:oven
10
Active Cooking
00:07:17

Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes until the top becomes golden brown.

local_fire_department375°F, 20 to 30 minutes
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Watch out

Remove the foil carefully to avoid steam burns, and watch closely so the cheese crust does not burn.

Tools:oven

groceryAll Ingredients

elbow macaroni16 piece
Salt2 tsp
butter2 tbsp
all-purpose flour2 tbsp
evaporated milk2 piece
grounded annatto1 tsp
Velveeta Cheese1.5 piece
Sharp Cheddar Cheese1 piece
aged Monterey Jack cheese0.33 piece

blenderAll Tools Needed

potwooden spoonsaucepanwhiskfoil panoven