Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe) (2024)

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This Ina Garten mac and cheese recipe is not your average dish!

It’s loaded with flavor and packs a serious punch of cheesy goodness thanks to the blend of Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses.

Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe) (1)

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Each bite of Ina Garten’s mac and cheese is pure bliss. And the addition of fresh sliced tomatoes gives it a fresh, zesty kick.

Trust me, once you try this mac and cheese, you’ll never go back to the boxed stuff again!

Ina Garten Mac and Cheese

If you don’t know, Ina Garten is a culinary legend and the host of the popular cooking show, Barefoot Contessa.

She’s known for her mouthwatering recipes, and her mac and cheese recipe is no exception.

It’s made with a blend of Gruyere and extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, a hint of nutmeg, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.

One thing that makes Ina’s mac and cheese recipe stand out is the addition of fresh sliced tomatoes on top.

The tomatoes add a burst of freshness that balances out the richness of the cheese.

Plus, they make the dish look even more colorful and appetizing.

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Ingredients

  • Cooking essentials: Vegetable oil for cooking pasta and greasing the baking dish, and Kosher salt to help bring out the flavors in the dish.
  • Pasta: You can use either elbow macaroni or cavatappi. These classic pasta shapes are perfect for holding onto all that delicious cheese sauce.
  • Bechamel: Milk, half a stick of butter, and flour are combined to create the base of the creamy bechamel sauce. This makes up the bulk of the mac and cheese.
  • Cheeses: Gruyere is a nutty, creamy cheese that melts beautifully and adds a rich flavor to the dish. And extra-sharp Cheddar is a sharp and tangy cheese that gives the dish a delicious bite.
  • Seasonings: Black pepper adds a little bit of heat and depth of flavor to the dish. And nutmeg is a warm, earthy spice that complements the richness of the cheese.
  • Toppings: Fresh, ripe tomatoes are sliced and arranged on top of the mac and cheese before it’s baked. And fresh white bread crumbs are combined with the remaining butter to create a crispy, crunchy mac and cheese topping.

The Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese

Let’s talk about how to make mac and cheese better!

One of the easiest ways to do this is by changing up the cheeses you use.

But before you go wild, there’s one important thing to keep in mind: not all cheeses melt well.

You want your mac and cheese to be smooth and gooey, not oily and gross. So it’s important to choose the right cheeses.

Luckily, there are plenty of great melting cheeses out there to choose from.

Simply pick from Asiago, Cheddar, Colby, Fontina, Gouda (not aged), Gruyère, Havarti, Monterey Jack, and Muenster.

If you stick with one of the good melters, you’ll be sure to end up with a delicious and satisfying dish.

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How to Make Ina Garten Mac and Cheese

1. Preheat the oven. Get your oven going by preheating it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cook the pasta. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions.

Once it’s done, drain it well so that it’s ready to be mixed with the cheese sauce.

3. Make the bechamel. In a small saucepan, heat up your milk but don’t let it boil. Meanwhile, melt some butter in a large pot over low heat and add flour.

Keep whisking it for about 2 minutes until it’s all mixed together nicely.

4. Add the cheese and seasonings. While still whisking, pour the hot milk into the pot slowly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce becomes smooth and thickened.

Take it off the heat and add in your grated Gruyere and Cheddar cheese, as well as some salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.

Give it a good stir so that everything is well mixed.

5. Add the pasta to the sauce. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well.

Once the pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce, pour the mixture into a 3-quart baking dish.

6. Top with tomatoes. Get some fresh tomatoes and slice them up. Arrange them on top of the macaroni and cheese to add a pop of color and some extra flavor.

7. Add the breadcrumbs. Melt the remaining butter and combine it with some fresh white bread crumbs. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the tomatoes for an extra crunchy topping.

8. Bake and enjoy! Pop your baking dish into the oven and let it bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

When the cheese sauce is bubbly and the macaroni and bread crumbs are browned on top, it’s time to take it out and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Mac and Cheese

If you’re looking to take your mac and cheese up a notch, try out these tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients, including good-quality cheese and milk.
  • Be sure to cook the pasta al dente so that it doesn’t become mushy or overcooked in the oven.
  • When making the bechamel sauce, be sure to stir constantly to avoid lumps.
  • Choose only cheeses that melt well to avoid the dish becoming oily and not the desired consistency of smooth and gooey.
  • Use room temperature liquids as colder liquids take longer to thicken. Let your milk and half and half sit out while the water for the pasta is boiling.
  • Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese in bags. The cheese in bags contains a starchy substance that can keep it from melting as well as it should.
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Toppings and Variations

  • Stovetop: Not a fan of baked mac and cheese? No problem! Simply cook your pasta until it’s al dente, and add all the cheese to the sauce for a quick stovetop version.
  • Different Toppings: Try mixing things up with different toppings. Panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter or crushed Ritz crackers are both great.
  • Broil after baking: Once the mac and cheese is cooked, broil it for 2-3 minutes to get that coveted crispy crust.
  • Extra cheese topping: For an even cheesier experience, sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top of the mac and cheese before baking.
  • Bacon bits: Chop the cooked bacon into small bits and stir it into the mac and cheese before pouring it into the baking dish.

How to Store

If you have any mac and cheese leftovers, be sure to store them in the fridge and cover them up real tight.

They can last for up to 3-4 days that way.

When you’re ready to reheat, you’ll need to know how to reheatmac and cheese so it doesn’t turn rubbery.

add a splash of milk or cream and pop it in the microwave.

Be sure to cover it partially with plastic wrap and stir it often as it reheats to get it nice and creamy again.

This recipe is freezer-friendly if you freeze it before baking it in the oven.

Let the mac and cheese cool completely and then transfer it into a dish that’s safe for the freezer.

Once you’re ready to bake the dish, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and follow the regular recipe instructions for baking.

It can stay frozen for up to 3 months, which means you can have a homemade mac and cheese dinner any time you want!

More Ina Garten Recipes You’ll Love

Ina Garten Pesto
Ina Garten Mashed Potatoes
Ina Garten Roast Chicken
Ina Garten Lemon Chicken Breasts

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Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Barefoot Contessa Recipe)

Servings

6-8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

954

kcal

If you want a winner of a meal, try this Ina Garten mac and cheese recipe! Packed with a blend of two incredible cheeses, this dish is creamy, velvety, and simply perfect.

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil

  • Salt (Kosher)

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi

  • 1 -quart milk

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 12 ounces grated Gruyere cheese (4 cups)

  • 8 ounces grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (2 cups)

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices with crusts removed)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling water and salt it. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
  • In a small saucepan, heat the milk but avoid boiling it.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat and add the flour, whisking continuously for 2 minutes.
  • Slowly pour the hot milk into the pot, whisking continuously, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until smooth and thickened.
  • Remove the pot from heat and add the Gruyere and Cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon of salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Stir well.
  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well.
  • Pour the mixture into a 3-quart baking dish.
  • Slice the fresh tomatoes and arrange them on top of the macaroni and cheese.
  • Melt the remaining butter and combine it with fresh white bread crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the tomatoes.
  • Bake it for 30 to 35 minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the macaroni and bread crumbs are browned on top. Enjoy!
Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe) (6)

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Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. Because macaroni and cheese is English in origin, you might be tempted to make it with only cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. The flavor of the cheese is enhanced with spice. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

How to make an easy Mac better? ›

20 Easy Ways To Make Boxed Mac And Cheese Even Better
  1. Add Cream Cheese.
  2. Replace The Milk.
  3. Upgrade The Cheese.
  4. Give It A Cheffy Twist.
  5. Turn It Into A Main Dish With Meat.
  6. Mix In New Flavors To Create Magic.
Feb 9, 2024

Can I make Ina Garten's mac and cheese ahead of time? ›

This Ina Garten Overnight Mac and Cheese recipe takes two days to make; the sauced pasta has to rest overnight in the fridge and then gets baked the next day. The recipe makes 4 to 6 servings.

What to add to mac and cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What cheeses are not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Those preservatives keep the pieces from melting evenly, and you'll end up with gritty, lumpy mac & cheese. Dry, crumbly cheeses like feta or cotija are not ideal. With their high moisture levels, they don't melt properly and will leave you with clumps of cheese instead of a smooth sauce.

How to keep macaroni and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

Do you drain water from mac and cheese? ›

Drain the water.

You don't have to drain out all the liquid, but at least drain some if your pasta cup is still full of liquid.

Can I use milk in an Easy Mac? ›

All you do is boil up your macaroni either on the stove or in a microwave pasta cooker (my preference), drain and add in your cheese and then milk. Easy peasy!

Can you make Kraft mac and cheese without milk? ›

How do you make boxed mac and cheese without milk? To make mac and cheese without milk, the best choice is to find something that has a similar texture and a milk flavor. Things like heavy cream, almond milk, oat milk, yogurt, cream cheese, and even pasta water all work very well in boxed mac and cheese.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

Can you mix up mac and cheese the night before? ›

Make ahead: This recipe is designed to be assembled and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead before baking. Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Why add sour cream to mac and cheese? ›

The trick to making the perfect French onion boxed mac and cheese is to swap out the milk and butter for sour cream. It has the same velvety richness as butter but with a pleasant tang. Plus, while it gets the same job done as the milk, it's a hundred times creamier, making the end result impossibly luscious.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What does milk do to mac and cheese? ›

Seriously, the fat content in the whole milk, in my opinion, makes for a creamier, more delicious mac and cheese.

What is wrong with my mac and cheese? ›

Overcooking the pasta

The noodles become soft and fall apart easily. Soggy pasta is exactly what you want to avoid, especially in mac and cheese — too soft, and you'll be eating cheese sludge with a spoon. Instead, for a hefty cheese sauce, you'll want your noodles cooked al dente.

Why should you never boil pasta in water for mac and cheese? ›

By cooking the pasta in milk instead, you get to keep all that starchy goodness for your cheese sauce. However, as the Kitchn points out: “Some milk is absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, but you need to reserve enough to make your sauce.

How to prevent mac and cheese from breaking? ›

To temper a cheese sauce, you must take your boiling milk mixture off the heat and let it cool a bit so that the proteins in the cheese don't immediately break bonds with the fat and water. Sara Moulton suggests that you grate your cheese before adding it to minimize the heat required for melting.

How to stop mac and cheese from drying out? ›

Add the cheese sauce packet and 1/4 cup of milk or heavy cream, and stir until the cheese sauce is well combined. The added liquid will keep the macaroni and cheese moist. Cover the pot and let it sit for a couple of minutes b.

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