Macaroni Casserole

Macaroni casserole, despite its seemingly simple ingredients, can sometimes prove a challenge to cook properly. Some common issues revolve around achieving the right consistency, cheese selection, balance of ingredients, and overall cooking time. The key to a great macaroni casserole is in the details: the type of pasta, the creaminess of the sauce, the balance of flavors, and the crispness of the top layer. Where people often go wrong is in the cooking of pasta - it should be slightly undercooked to prevent becoming mushy during baking. Cheese selection is crucial, and while sharp cheddar is a classic, trying a blend of different cheeses can give the dish interesting depth. One little known trick is to add a bit of mustard or hot sauce to your cheese sauce to enhance the flavor. Using freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded can also be a game changer as it melts much better. Also, don’t rush the baking! Layering and baking your casserole correctly is the key to that tempting, bubbly, golden brown crust.