Corny Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Priprava

Sestavine

Postopek

Korak za korakom

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 2-quart or 9x9-inch baking dish with the softened butter.

   Približno 2 min

   Kuharjeva opomba: Greasing the dish well prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.

2. 2

   Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling, salted water according to package directions until it's al dente.

   Približno 8 min

   Kuharjeva opomba: Slightly undercooking the pasta helps it absorb the sauce without becoming mushy during baking.

3. 3

   While the pasta cooks, combine the milk, cottage cheese, and beaten egg in a large bowl.

   Približno 2 min

4. 4

   Whisk the sauce ingredients until they are mostly smooth, then stir in the salt, black pepper, and the portion of cheddar cheese for the sauce.

   Približno 1 min

   Kuharjeva opomba: A few small lumps of cottage cheese are perfectly fine.

5. 5

   Drain the cooked macaroni well and return it to the warm pot.

   Približno 1 min

6. 6

   Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni, add the drained corn, and stir everything together until well combined.

   Približno 1 min

7. 7

   Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

   Približno 1 min

8. 8

   Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

   Približno 20 min

9. 9

   While it bakes, prepare the topping by mixing the crushed crackers, the remaining cheddar for the topping, and the melted butter in a small bowl.

   Približno 2 min

   Kuharjeva opomba: Use your fingers to toss the ingredients to ensure the butter coats everything evenly.

10. 10

    After the initial baking time, carefully remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the cracker topping evenly over the surface.

    Približno 1 min

11. 11

    Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.

    Približno 15 min

12. 12

    Let the macaroni and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

    Približno 5 min

    Kuharjeva opomba: This resting period prevents the dish from being too runny when you serve it.