Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Bar
A fun and interactive mac and cheese bar recipe, perfect for birthday buffets, featuring a creamy pasta base and customizable toppings.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or shells) You can use shells or any pasta shape.
Sauce Base
- 4 tablespoons butter Unsalted is preferred.
- 4 tablespoons flour All-purpose flour works best.
- 3 cups whole milk Whole milk is best, but 2% is fine.
Cheese
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese Feel free to mix in your favorite cheese.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For a gooey texture.
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- to taste black pepper Adjust according to your preference.
Topping
- 1 cup crushed crackers or panko mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter For extra crunch on top.
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute until golden.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheese and seasonings until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the drained pasta and mix well.
Baking
- Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with crushed crackers or panko mixed with melted butter.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes.
- For a browner top, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Serving
- Set out bowls of toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, hot sauce, roasted broccoli, and buttered breadcrumbs for guests to customize their servings.
Notes
Feel free to be creative with the toppings! This recipe is very adaptable for all tastes, including gluten free options. Allow guests to make their own combinations.