How long does it take to make Mac and Cheese?
Short, hollow pasta; bake 20–30 minutes at 170–200°C (340–390°F), until the crumbs on top are golden.
24 minTotal
8 minActive time
16 minSetting
Step by Step
| # | What to do | How long |
|---|
| 1 | Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water (4¼ cups of water and a heaping teaspoon of salt for every 4 oz of pasta), following the package directions (taste about 2 minutes early) | 10 min |
| 2 | Drain | 3 min |
| 3 | Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat, add the flour and stir 1–2 minutes | 2 min |
| 4 | Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly, and cook 5–8 minutes | 6 min |
| 5 | Season with salt | 1 min |
| 6 | Add the cheese to the hot sauce and stir | 1 min |
| 7 | Toss the pasta in the cheese sauce, adding a little of the cooking water if it's too thick | 1 min |
How to Tell It's Done
- until al dente
- until a smooth roux forms and starts to bubble
- until the sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon
- until the cheese melts
Tips
- Add the milk slowly, whisking constantly, so no lumps form. For lasagna, the common ratio is about 7 g flour per 100 ml milk (4 tablespoons flour to 2 cups): more flour gives a thick béchamel, for moussaka; less flour gives a soft béchamel, for a sauce.
Common Mistakes
- The water should taste like a seasoned soup, not like sea water: a heaping teaspoon of salt per liter. Add the salt once the water is boiling.
- Add the cheese to a hot but not boiling sauce: boiling splits the cheese, and the sauce turns grainy and greasy.
More Ways
- Cook a butter and flour roux with milk, and add the cheese a handful at a time, each after the last has melted.
The full recipe: Mac and Cheese →
Recipes with Mac and Cheese
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