Welcome to the world of comfort food, where a steaming dish of creamy baked mac and cheese awaits you. In this article, we’ll explore the art of crafting this classic dish, ensuring a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that will elevate your dining experience.

Ingredients:

Let’s start by gathering the essentials for this mouthwatering creation. Here’s a table outlining the ingredients you’ll need:

Instructions:

Preparing the Oven and Baking Dish

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Cooking the Pasta

1. Boil the dry elbow macaroni pasta in salted water for about 8 minutes, achieving al dente perfection.
2. Drain the pasta and toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Creating the Cheese Sauce

1. Melt salted butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add all-purpose flour, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk and half-and-half, bringing it to a boil while whisking constantly.
4. Remove from heat and whisk in Worcestershire sauce.
5. Gradually add Velveeta cheese and half of the cheddar cheese (1 ½ cups), stirring until smooth.
6. Add salt, dry mustard, pepper, and nutmeg, then stir in the cooked pasta.

Baking the Dish

1. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
2. Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of grated cheddar on top.
3. Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly.

Optional Crispy Top

For a crispier, browner top, pop the dish under the broiler for 2-5 minutes.