Best Potluck Dish to Make You Feel Cheesy

There’s something about a creamy, baked mac and cheese that just feels like a hug in casserole form. This isn’t your basic mac. It’s cheesy, rich, and layered with flavor — thanks to the ultimate combo of Gruyère and sharp cheddar. Bonus: there’s cottage cheese in there (trust me, it works) and a little tip of love from my kitchen to yours.

It’s my best friend’s favorite. My family’s too. Here’s how to make it for your next comfort craving.

Ingredients

½ lb elbow macaroni
1 cup Gruyère, shredded
1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
½ stick butter
2 cups whole milk
½ cup blended cottage cheese
¼ cup flour
¼ tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper

Tip: Use 1½ cups of the shredded cheese in the sauce and save ½ cup for topping.

Directions

Boil your pasta until about 1 minute less than the box instructions.
While the water’s heating, shred your cheeses and mix them together. Split them into 1½ cups for the sauce and ½ cup for the topping.
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to make a quick roux, cooking for about a minute.
Slowly whisk in 1 cup of milk. Once it thickens, add the second cup. Keep whisking.
Once warm and smooth, whisk in the 1½ cups of cheese a little at a time until fully melted. Then, stir in the cottage cheese until the sauce is silky and luscious.
Drain your pasta, and mix it with the cheese sauce.
Pour everything into a 1½ qt baking pan, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Bake at 325°F for 15–20 minutes or until it’s golden and bubbly on top.
Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then dig in and enjoy every cheesy bite.

Final Tip for the best baked mac and cheese

Make this yours. Add breadcrumbs for crunch, sprinkle with paprika, or toss in some crispy pancetta. However you mix it up, just remember: measure with your heart!

It serves 3-4 people with leftovers. We served with a side of chicken and salad mix! Homemade mac and cheese deserves a permanent place in everyone’s comfort food rotation.

Xo, Mel

PS If you’re looking for easy to make kid-friendly desserts, I’ve got some easy ones for you!