Macaroni & Cheese Casserole
I am a diehard macaroni and cheese fan. Ironically, it wasn’t one of those foods that I begged for as a kid, but have fallen in love with as an adult. Sure, if it was offered to me I ate it, but I never went out of my way to throw a tantrum for a bowl of shells and cheese. However, after discovering the amazing delicious-ness that is homemade macaroni and cheese, my taste buds have never been the same. I have no shortage of macaroni and cheese recipes here on the site, but that doesn’t stop me from trying new ones as they fall into my lap. This one is a really basic baked version, very similar to the Baked Mac n’ Cheese, but using only one type of cheese instead of three. It bakes up thick, cheesy and bubbly with a Ritz cracker crust. Completely irresistible, I tell you.
I got this recipe from my grandma, who was in the midst of giving me a another recipe when she pulled this one out of her box and asked if I liked macaroni and cheese. Hello, do you know me?! I immediately copied down the recipe, which had been cut out of a box of pasta (I have no idea which brand it was). You start with a simple white sauce on the stove consisting of butter, flour and milk, and then melt in the cheese, stir in the pasta, then get it into a casserole dish, top with crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Thirty minutes later you have cheesy goodness.
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More homemade macaroni and cheese recipes:
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Mushroom-Herb Macaroni and Cheese
Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
And let it be known that I am not above eating an entire box worth of shells and cheese or easy mac when I’m sick. Sometimes in a dire situation you do what you need to do, and there’s no better time for comfort food than when you’re feeling your worst! But for all of those other times… mmm homemade mac and cheese!
Two years ago: How to Afford Le Creuset on a Budget: Bargain Shopping at its Finest
Four years ago: Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Macaroni & Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb. (453.59 g) elbow pasta
- ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, (4 ounces)
- ½ cup (62.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 5 cups (1.22 kg) milk, whole or 2%
- 4 cups (452 g) shredded cheddar cheese, (16 ounces)
For the Topping:
- 15 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, then add the onion powder, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and the mixture begins to boil. Add the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat the pasta.
- Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix together the crushed Ritz crackers and the melted butter until all of the crumbs are moistened, and then sprinkle over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Mac n cheese is the best thing on a cold day, isn’t it? I still love Easy Mac (Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!) but my favorite is a Truffle Mac and Cheese:
http://chocotuile.blogspot.com/2011/09/pasta-od-on-truffle-mac-and-cheese.html
Your pictures look amazing! I have lots more to learn on food photography skills! :)
Hi there! My apologies if you’ve already answered this, but which is your favorite mac and cheese recipe?
Ahh, so hard to choose! The mushroom-herb might be my favorite just because I love mushrooms and the flavor of the dish.
Isn’t the sauce a besciamella, quite a staple of northern italy baked pasta… and why not just parmigiano on top?
Yes, it’s a traditional bechamel sauce. You could put Parmesan on top if you prefer, it just won’t have the crunch that comes from the cracker crumbs.
This is almost my exact recipe I have been using for years!!! I don’t bake it though (can’t wait that long!) I am a diehard Mac n cheese fan. Gotta be one kind of cheese, sharp cheddar. I’m open to trying other cheeses and recipes but this recipe (my go to family recipe) I make once a week! I think the word I’m looking for is obsessed…lol
That picture on the bottom totally makes me want to dig in with a fork. Yum!
Well….that is HOLY COW delicious! Like you – I was okay with mac & cheese as a kid…but it’s one of the ultimate comfort foods for me now! I just love the stuff!
This looks delicious! Such comfort food. I love the Ritz topping addition.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com
I love the Ritz cracker crust!
Homemade Mac n’ Cheese is the Best! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I love mac and cheese, too. And, wow! This one looks amazing. I cannot wait to try it!
yum! this is bookmarked for this weekend.. i love how the recipe is so simple.
Ooooo, I can never get enough mac and cheese myself and this one looks soooo good! I love the topping. So much better than the usual bread crumb topping.
Superb…thats a real comfort food :)
My all-time favorite food! I thought of making my blog totally dedicated to mac and cheese but realized that wouldn’t appeal to more than 2 people. Ha,ha.
Great recipe!
MOMMY.
I love Mac and Cheese!! I would eat it everyday! This looks amazing. Thank you grandma for sharing!
Mac & cheese is one of my favorites! I can’t even count the varieties I’ve made, but this one will be next! I love that this one has Ritz topping – yum!
Looks delicious! Do you subscribe to Cooking Light, Michelle? Two months ago they featured a mac and cheese that used butternut squash and cut a lot of the cream. It was perhaps one of the best homemade mac and cheeses I’ve ever had, despite being lower calorie. It’s definitely worth a try. The b’nut squash adds a lovely, velvety richness, and there’s still cheese, of course!
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-light-macaroni-cheese-50400000115195/
Ooh thank you Holly! I’d love to give this a try, thank you for sharing. I don’t subscribe so I wouldn’t have seen it. Looks delish!
This looks absolutely INSANE! 2 questions- can I use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar cheese? And do you think I can cut down on the butter, or you need the full amount? I can not wait to make this.
I don’t know that I would replace ALL of the cheddar with mozzarella for this. I would do more of a mix if you want to include mozzarella. The butter works with the flour to create the base for the sauce. If you want to cut down on the butter, you’ll need to cut the flour and milk by the same ratios, and the casserole just won’t be as creamy.
That is how I have been making mac & cheese for years except I use a sleeve of Ritz crushed and a half stick of butter for topping and I only use Extra sharp cheddar. True comfort and a nice tribute and memory of Grandma
This is perfect. I was just thinking last night I would like to make mac and cheese today. With the cold weather, it was just sounding good! I also have many mac and cheese recipes, and wasn’t sure which to make. But I think you posting this is a sign that I should make it. I am so indecisive. You have no idea how much easier you just made my day! :)
So funny that you post this today. I just made this last night, but we used gruyere and parmesan reggiano for a white mac and cheese. So good.
That looks so creamy and amazing! When the husband & I first married I used to make a mac and cheese with Ritz on top – I had forgotten about it until your post! Cannot wait to get some crackers and make some pasta!
My husband is a huge mac n cheese fan. I have only made it for him once or twice. I know he would absolutely love this! I am saving it for after we are done with our move, and he can have a comforting treat! Thanks!
How do you NOT weight 300 lbs?
Haha! Everything in moderation. I share a lot of what I make.
This recipe sounds old school, but I love it! Nothing comforting then Mac and Cheese. When I was a kid I would only touch the stuff in the blue box, now I think yuck! Love homemade WAY better!!!
I love the Ritz addition! Plus, any recipe from Grandma is good in my books!
Mac n cheese really is the best comfort food, yum!
Wow, that looks SO creamy! I love macaroni and cheese. I like how there is only one type of cheese and doesn’t get excessive with 5 different cheeses..
I’m pretty sure this is what I’ll be making sunday night for dinner. Looks yummy!