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Jun 2, 2019

Individual Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe for individual baked macaroni and cheese is my "go-to" all time favorite for easy family friendly mac and cheese.


Individual Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Normally, I've baked this mac and cheese in a casserole, but I decided to experiment and bake the mac and cheese in ramekins. There's something extra fun about individually sized dishes. Plus, there's built in portion control.

One of the first things I learned in middle school cooking class was how to make béchamel sauce. It's a milk sauce thickened with a butter and flour roux. In class it was referred to as "white sauce." For years I kept that hand written recipe card for whenever I need a white sauce.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This sauce is the mother of mornay sauce, with added shredded cheese. This is the basis for the sauce of this macaroni and cheese. How culinary! I had no idea.

Making the béchamel for this macaroni and cheese involves some time and attention, a lot of whisking, and a lot of babysitting, and a bit of extra dishwashing, but it is totally worth it. Prepare yourself to whisk this sauce constantly for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Once you have your sauce down, the rest is easy. In fact, you can (and should) make the pasta and sauce in advance and bake the dish the next day... the better to meld the flavors.

The photos above are of the dish made with white cheddar cheese, and the photo below was made with yellow cheddar cheese. Either way, the mac and cheese is delicious.

Individual Baked Macaroni and Cheese

I was able to fit this recipe into twelve 3 1/2 inch ramekins, but this recipe can also be made in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. I just like the idea of baking this macaroni and cheese in individual ramekins.

Cuteness definitely adds to the flavor of a dish, right? Either way, the size of the baking dish doesn't affect the baking time.

This macaroni and cheese is rich and creamy. I love the bits of burned cheese on top. Killer good.

More Awesome Macaroni and Cheese Recipes: 




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Individual Baked Macaroni and Cheese in ramekins





Author:

ingredients:

  • Salt
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 12 T unsalted butter
  • 6 T all purpose flour
  • 1/2 large sweet or brown onion, very thinly sliced
  • 1 bay leave
  • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 4 1/2 C whole milk
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 pound of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Panko crumbs, to taste
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese, to taste
  • Spray oil or melted butter

instructions:

How to cook

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (unless you are making the dish in advance).
  2. Fill a large pot with about 4 or 5 quarts of water, bring it to a boil, salt the water to taste, and add the macaroni. Cook it al dente according to package directions.
  3. Drain the macaroni into a large colander. Do not rinse.
  4. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, onions, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and peppercorns.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for about 3 minutes, whisking constantly.
  6. Slowly add the milk while continuing to whisk. Once the milk is combined with the roux, raise the heat to medium high and bring the mixture to a boil while whisking constantly. Simmer for about 4 minutes, until thickened.
  7. Lower to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly.
  8. Into a very large bowl, strain the sauce through a strainer to remove the peppercorns, thyme, and larger pieces of onion.
  9. Add the salt, ground pepper, nutmeg, and grated cheese. Stir until the cheese barely melts.
  10. Add the macaroni to the sauce and stir.
  11. Spray a casserole or smaller serving dishes with spray oil and fill with the macaroni and cheese mixture. If you are making ahead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  12. When you are ready to bake, sprinkle the top of the dishes with panko and parmesan, and spray the top lightly with spray oil or lightly drizzle with melted butter.
  13. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
mac and cheese, cheese
Main course
American
Created using The Recipes Generator

Would you like to comment?

  1. What a beautiful recipe! Thank you so much for sharing it with us Karen!

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  2. This came up as a freezer meal idea, how can you freeze? Bake before or after freezing?

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    Replies
    1. You can do it either way. Assemble and freeze, or bake and freeze. I prefer the assemble and freeze, and then bake later method. If your baking vessel is good from freezer to oven, you are good to go.

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  3. I love the individual idea, and mac and cheese is such a classic.

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  4. I love the idea of everyone having their own mac and cheese cups!

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  5. I love macaroni and cheese but I always end up eating too much. I think this would be great for portion control!

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  6. I could eat mac and cheese every day and never get tired!! I love the individual dishes. You could totally make a mac and cheese bar so people could add in whatever they wanted. Tomatoes, bacon, chives. So many possibilities.

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  7. I like serving up individual portions sometimes, especially when entertaining and offering several different dishes on a buffet.

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  8. I adore the portion control nature of this recipe... brilliant

    and of course, the "how culinary" is another brilliant remark by the one and only Karen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it might very well be public knowledge by now... ;-)

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  9. I love things done in individual servings. Always so cute!

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  10. This is such an amazing idea to put our classic mac n cheese in individual serving for a hassle free dinner time!

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    Replies
    1. Right? No one fighting over who got more!

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  11. I have kids so mac and cheese is a given in my house. I do love the individual portions, though. Perfect for entertaining.

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