When all you crave is something warm, cheesy, and utterly comforting, the answer is the Mary Berry macaroni cheese recipe. This is therapy in a baking dish—creamy, ridiculously cheesy, and crowned with a perfect crispy top. Mary Berry’s method is straightforward enough for the longest days but delivers a result that tastes like you spent hours on it. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfected.
Ingredients for This Bowl of Pure Joy
12 oz macaroni pasta
4 tbsp butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
3 cups sharp cheddar, grated (from a 12 oz block)
1 tsp dry mustard powder
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred for crunch)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions : Operation Comfort Food is GO!
Deep breaths. You’ve got this. It’s easy:
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta in plenty of salted water until it has a slight bite (al dente). Drain it well and set it aside.
- Start the Sauce: In another pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir for one minute.
- Make it Creamy: Add the milk very slowly, whisking the whole time to keep the sauce smooth. Once it’s all in and thick, turn the heat to low. Stir in the grated cheese, mustard powder, and nutmeg until melted and smooth.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the cheese sauce over your pasta and stir until every piece is coated. Scrape it into an oven-safe dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top, and bake at 190°C / 375°F for 20-25 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden on top.
Serving This Masterpiece
Honestly? Best served piping hot, maybe letting it sit for just a couple of minutes so you don’t completely incinerate your mouth (we’ve all been there). Scoop generous portions. A simple green salad on the side makes you feel slightly virtuous, but is entirely optional. Sometimes, you just need the mac.
Seriously Though…
This Mary Berry macaroni cheese recipe is more than just a recipe. It’s a hug. It’s reliable. It’s delicious. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest things are the absolute best. Make it. Eat it. Feel better about everything. You won’t regret it.
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Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese Recipe
The ultimate Mary Berry macaroni cheese recipe! Indulge in a rich, creamy, perfectly cheesy sauce with a golden, crunchy top. Pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
- 12 oz macaroni pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar, grated (from a 12 oz block)
- 1 tsp dry mustard powder
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred for crunch)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Get your oven hot to 400°F. Cook the macaroni but pull it out a minute early so it still has a bite. Drain it and set it aside.
- While that cooks melt the butter in a big saucepan on medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook it for a minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk a little at a time whisking like crazy so you dont get lumps. Keep going until the sauce is smooth and thickens up.
- Turn the heat way down. Dump in most of your cheese saving a bit for the top. Stir in the mustard powder nutmeg salt and pepper until the cheese is totally melted.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and give it a good mix.
- Pour everything into a baking dish. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese and all the breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until its bubbly and golden brown. Let it sit for a few minutes before you serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per ServingCalories 542Total Fat 33gSaturated Fat 19gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 93mgSodium 616mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 2gSugar 9gProtein 23g