Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese | Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish

🧀 Classic Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe

Creamy, cheesy & golden on top, cozy enough for your Thanksgiving table?

INGREDIENTS

Pasta
• 1–1½ lbs elbow pasta

Cheese (freshly grated)
• 8 oz sharp white cheddar
• 8 oz medium cheddar
• 8 oz low moisture mozzarella
• 6 oz colby jack
(Reserve 1½ cups of mixed cheese for topping)

Sauce
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3½ cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

👩🏾‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Grate all cheeses & set aside 1½ cups for topping.
3. Cook pasta until al dente, drain & set aside.
TIP: Use 1 lb pasta for a creamier mac & cheese OR 1½ lbs if you want it less sauce-y.
4. Add butter to a stovetop-safe skillet & melt.
5. Add garlic (30 sec), then stir in flour until absorbed.
6. Slowly whisk in milk — ½ cup at a time so it thickens gently.
Keep heat medium — don’t let it boil.
7. Add heavy cream and continue whisking.
8. Stir in cheese — ½ cup at a time until melted & creamy.
9. Season with salt, pepper & nutmeg.
10. Add cooked pasta & stir until coated.
11. Top with reserved cheese & bake 20–25 mins.
12. Broil 30 sec–1 min for a golden top.
13. Let it rest 10 mins before serving

Save this for Thursday 📌

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