Recipe

Baked Skillet Mac n' Cheese Puts Kraft to Shame

By Maria Serghiou at Rutgers University

There's no better comfort food than classic mac n' cheese, and I ain't talkin' Kraft. Drop that box and grab a cast iron skillet that'll allow you to make creamy mac n' cheese with defined crispy edges featuring a golden brown top layer of cheesy crust.

Bring the basic city trend of skillet mac n' cheese to the comfort of your own home (or college living space) and own this recipe like a G. Your roomies, friends, fam and baes will thank you. You run this kitchen. Show 'em what it is. Let's get it.

Baked Cast Iron Skillet Mac n' Cheese

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 8 oz macaroni
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 8 oz shredded mixed cheese blend
  • 8 oz shredded sharp white cheddar
  • 8 oz shredded mozzarella
  • 2 oz grated pecorino parmesan
  • 2 cups milk
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 1

Boil water and cook macaroni for 5 minutes to soften.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 2

Heat butter on low heat in a sauce pan.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 3

When butter is foamy and melted, slowly sprinkle flour and whisk to incorporate until a frothy, light brown roux is made.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 4

Slowly add in milk and spices (nutmeg, salt and pepper), whisking continuously for around 7-8 minutes until sauce thickens.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 5

Remove sauce from heat. Slowly add in cheeses, whisking slowly until melted into a thick sauce.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 6

Fold macaroni into thickened cheese sauce.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 7

Transfer macaroni mixture into a cast iron skillet.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 8

Top macaroni mixture with bread crumbs and more shredded cheese. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes until the top layer is golden brown.

Photo by Maria Serghiou

Step 9

Add parsley for garnish. So why do you need a cast iron skillet? Take a good look, my friend. Ooo baby.

Photo by Maria Serghiou