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Baked Macaroni and Cheese (Creamiest Ever Recipe)

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

This Creamy Macaroni and Cheese is ultra-rich, velvety, and baked to golden perfection. Blended cottage cheese creates a smooth, protein-packed sauce while sharp cheddar delivers bold flavor. Simple ingredients come together for a comforting classic with a creamy twist.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sauce Base
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter plus extra for greasing and topping
  • 1 cup cottage cheese full-fat recommended
  • 2 cups milk whole milk preferred
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
Cheese
  • 3 cups sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated reserve 1/2 cup for topping
Pasta
  • 2 cups elbow pasta, uncooked

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, dry mustard, cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Blend until completely smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the blended sauce with grated cheddar (reserving 1/2 cup) and uncooked elbow pasta.
  4. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove foil, stir gently, sprinkle the reserved cheddar over the top, and dot with small pieces of butter if desired.
  6. Bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  7. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

For added texture, sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs on top before the final bake. This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; add 5–10 minutes to the baking time if starting cold.