Baked Mac and Cheese
My brain is wired in such a way that when it sees so much cheese, it understands that as ‘comfort’. This timeless comfort food is a favorite of my daughter too. Honestly, most kids love this. This dish is indulgent, creamy, and cheesy. One of our absolute favorite Mac and Cheese recipes, I would say. Baked to perfection with a cheesy creamy sauce, elbow pasta, and topped with crunchy breadcrumb toppings The sauce is not only loaded with cheese, but it also has a balanced flavor from garlic, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and a dash of hot sauce. For me, a good mac and cheese has to have the umami from mustard. Mac and cheese is loaded with creamy and cheesy sauce. My recipes are all about the balance of flavors. The sharp tanginess and acidity from the dijon cut through the richness of the cheese and bring contrast and a more balanced taste. The visual appeal of mac and cheese is the golden crust that forms on the top when you bake it in the oven. You should be breaking that and finding a creamy interior below the surface. That’s part of the fun when you serve it.
What to serve with
Baked mac and cheese with all its goody creaminess and cheesiness can go with a number of sides that balance its richness. You can also freeze the baked mac and cheese for upto 3 months in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Remove as much air as you can to prevent freezer burn. Reheat the dish in the oven by preheating it to 360°F (180°C). Cover the top with an aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning for 5-10 minutes. Do not overheat else the cheese tends to become grainy. This is not ideal for multiple reheats. Also, if you notice any dryness after reheating, add some milk and stir them well.
Green salads – With a rich dish like this, go with some light salads with refreshing and light dressings like my Cherry Tomato Salad, Red Potato Salad, White bean salad with lemon vinaigrette and Cucumber Strawberry Salad. Grilled chicken – Do not miss on some much-needed protein with this creamy delight. Easy ways to add some protein are to make these grilled recipes – Easy Grilled Chicken, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Rosemary Chicken Kebabs, Roasted vegetables – Serving roasted veggies adds a smoky, charred taste to compliment a rich dish. Serve vegetables roasted with chicken to make a complete meal. Roast red potatoes, brussel sprouts or zucchini with lemon and pepper flavors in the oven. Hot soup – A hot soup cleans the palette while gorging on such a rich, cheesy dish, while also balancing the nutrition. For inspiration, check out my Tomato Egg Drop Soup, Cauliflower Potato Soup or Healthy Vegetable Soup. Crispy bacon – Make it more irresistible by sprinkling crumbles of crispy bacon on top. Bread – Cheesy dishes go well with bread like No-Knead White Bread that can be toasted or baked with savory notes of garlic like Cheesy Garlic Bread.
