Elsie’s Oven-Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Elsie’s Oven-Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 2 tbsp Butter; 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper; 1 cup Half & Half; 2 cups Macaroni; 1 pinch Salt; 1 cup Shredded Marble Jack Cheese; 1.5 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Side Dish 🥗Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 American High-Protein 💪Sugar-Free Vegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Comfort-Food Pescatarian 🐟

Elsie’s Oven-Baked Macaroni and Cheese delivers a rich, velvety sauce that clings to every elbow noodle, blending Triple Cheddar and Colby Jack for a bold, balanced bite. A whisper of cayenne adds gentle warmth without overpowering the creamy comfort. Serve it as a cozy weeknight dinner centerpiece or a reliable holiday side that everyone will scoop seconds of.

Prep10 mins
Cook40 mins
Serves4
DifficultyEasy

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2

Coat the inside of a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
3

Mix the Cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses in a medium bowl and set aside.
4

Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water as directed on the package; drain well and set aside.
5

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
6

Stir in the flour, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.
7

Gradually whisk in the milk and half & half.
8

Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens (about 2 to 3 minutes).
9

Remove from the heat and add the cayenne and black peppers, and 2 cups of the reserved cheese mixture; stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
10

Stir the cooked macaroni into the sauce and season to taste.
11

Transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
12

Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and dot with additional butter, if desired.
13

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned.