{"id":"f6278157-1921-4b5a-be96-3eb6acc23b7e","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/f6278157-1921-4b5a-be96-3eb6acc23b7e","source_url":"https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015825-creamy-macaroni-and-cheese","title":"Creamy Macaroni and Cheese","description":"There are two schools of thought about macaroni and cheese: Some like it crusty and extra-cheesy (here’s our recipe), while others prefer it smooth and creamy. But most people are delighted by any homemade macaroni and cheese. It is light years ahead of the boxed versions. This creamy version has one powerful advantage for the cook: There’s no need to preboil the pasta. It cooks in the oven, absorbing the liquid from the dairy products.","servings":6,"servings_text":"6 to 8 servings","total_time":"PT1H40M","ingredients":[{"text":"2 tablespoons unsalted butter","item":"unsalted butter","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"1 cup cottage cheese (not low-fat)","item":"cottage cheese","quantity":1,"unit":"cup","preparation":"not low-fat"},{"text":"2 cups milk (not skim)","item":"milk","quantity":2,"unit":"cup","preparation":"not skim"},{"text":"1 teaspoon dry mustard","item":"dry mustard","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"Pinch of ground cayenne","item":"ground cayenne","unit":"pinch"},{"text":"Pinch of ground nutmeg","item":"ground nutmeg","unit":"pinch"},{"text":"½ teaspoon kosher salt","item":"kosher salt","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"¼ teaspoon black pepper","item":"black pepper","quantity":0.25,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 pound sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar, grated","item":"sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar","quantity":1,"unit":"lb","preparation":"grated"},{"text":"½ pound elbow pasta, uncooked","item":"elbow pasta, uncooked","quantity":0.5,"unit":"lb"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan."},{"number":2,"text":"In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Reserve ¼ cup grated Cheddar for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated Cheddar, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes."},{"number":3,"text":"Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving."}],"date_published":"2026-10-29T23:42:15.098604+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-29T23:42:15.098604+00:00"}