Simple Baked Macaroni and Cheese

The best macaroni and cheese recipes should be uncomplicated, like our Simple Baked Macaroni and Cheese. This baked macaroni and cheese recipe adds crumbled saltines for a tasty, budget-friendly crumb topping.

Ingredients

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
black pepper, to taste
2 cups milk
7 ounces macaroni, cooked and drained
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup saltine crackers, crushed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt 1/4 cup of the butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
Add flour, salt, paprika, mustard and pepper; stir well. Cook 1 minute.
Stir in milk. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in macaroni and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
Spoon into 2-quart casserole.
Cover; bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet; stir in cracker crumbs.
Remove cover from casserole; sprinkle macaroni with cracker crumbs.
Bake, uncovered, until top is golden and mixture is bubbly, about 20 minutes.