TheKitchn.com

Is there anything better than creamy, crispy, baked mac and cheese? It's the ultimate comfort food, but it's certainly not short on steps. Classic mac and cheese casseroles require cooking pasta, making a roux, turning that roux into a cheese sauce and then combining it all and baking until bubbly. It's a project, which is why it's often reserved for special occasions or weekend cooking.

This sheet pan mac and cheese changes that. It uses a smart shortcut of cooking the noodles directly in the cheese sauce, then cuts down the cook time by baking everything in a single layer in a hot oven. Even better, it boasts the best ratio of creamy noodles to crispy topping. Just wait until you dig into those ultra-crispy corners!

This fun twist on mac and cheese is an absolute game changer, busting you out of your boxed mac and cheese rut with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Plus, you can make this cheesy sheet pan dinner from kitchen staples, and you can serve it as either a cozy main dish or superb side. These tips will set you up for success.

Quick tips Bottom of Form

1. Use a hearty, tubular pasta. A sturdy pasta shape, such as cavatappi (my personal favorite) or elbows, will hold up best in this dish. Skip mini shells and other small, delicate shapes.

2. Don't drain the pasta! Cooking the pasta for just six minutes in a combination of dairy and water releases the pasta's starches into the cooking liquid and thickens it right up. This is your sauce, so don't drain it! All you have to do is fold in the cheese.

3. Pair sharp cheddar and Parmesan for maximum cheesy flavor. Speaking of cheese, a sharp cheddar for the cheese sauce and Parmesan for the crisp topping yields the best cheesy flavor.

Crispy Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese

Serves 4 to 6

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