Make-Ahead Macaroni and Cheese

Written By Gerald Yuille

Comfort food at its best! Try this macaroni & cheese recipe for your next gathering.

Creamy, cheesy, and topped with a crunchy golden crust, this make-ahead macaroni and cheese is the perfect stress-free comfort dish for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings. Preparing it ahead allows the pasta to soak up the rich, velvety cream sauce, creating an extra luscious texture once baked. Gruyere and cheddar deliver a deep savory flavor, while crispy fried onions and seasoned breadcrumbs add irresistible crunch in every bite. Simply assemble in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready for an easy crowd-pleasing casserole that tastes completely homemade.

Ingredients

  • 16-oz. box of cavatappi pasta

  • 8 oz. gruyere cheese grated and divided

  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese grated and divided

  • 3 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 14 teaspoon ground fresh pepper

  • 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

  • 1/2 cup French's crispy fried onions 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Up to the day before (minimum of four hours before), par-cook a box of pasta in salted boiling water for half of the recommended time for tender pasta. Drain and set aside.

  • While the pasta cooks, grate the cheeses. Take half of the grated cheese and place it in a bowl or ziplock bag to use later or the next day.

  • Make a milk mixture with the whole milk, heavy cream, nutmeg, ground mustard, Dijon mustard, and ground pepper. Don't add salt to the mixture since the cheese has a lot of salt in it. 

  • Mix the milk mixture with the pasta and the remaining cheese in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. The pasta will absorb the milk mixture and expand. 

  • Once ready to bake, allow the mixture to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

  • Stir the mixture and place in a  9” x 13” x 2” baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with reserved cheese. 

  • In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, fried onions, and olive oil together. Spread topping over the cheese. 

  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bubbling on the sides.

Enjoy!

Gerald Yuille
Next

Grilled Tuna