Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Crunchy Ritz Topping Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with a Crunchy Ritz Topping is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. This dish combines a rich blend of cheeses with tender pasta and a buttery cracker crust that adds an irresistible crunch. It’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy your cheesy cravings.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dry shells or elbow macaroni
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Havarti cheese
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
• 6 ounces brie cheese (rind removed, cubed)
• 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 tablespoons salted butter (at room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: In the prepared dish, combine the dry pasta, half of the shredded Havarti, cheddar, and fontina cheeses, the milk, sour cream, ground mustard, cayenne, and 1/3 cup water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together.
3. Step 3: Push the cubed brie into the pasta mixture, spreading it evenly. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
4. Step 4: While the pasta is baking, prepare the topping by mixing the crushed Ritz crackers with butter, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl.
5. Step 5: After 25 minutes, remove the foil from the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses over the pasta and top with the Ritz cracker mixture.
6. Step 6: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the Ritz topping is golden brown.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven, serve hot, and enjoy this creamy, cheesy delight with a crunchy topping!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne to the Ritz topping mix.
• Swap out the Havarti or fontina for gouda or mozzarella if preferred.
• If you like a bit of green, stir in some chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley before baking.
• Use gluten-free pasta and crackers to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve the crunchy Ritz topping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells works well. Just ensure it cooks evenly with the sauce.

What can I substitute for sour cream?

You can use Greek yogurt or crème fraîche as a tangy alternative to sour cream for a similar creamy texture.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Crunchy Ritz Topping Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 82 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Crunchy Ritz Topping is the ultimate comfort food, combining a luscious blend of Havarti, cheddar, fontina, and brie cheeses baked to perfection with a buttery, spiced Ritz cracker crust. It’s rich, cheesy, with a perfect crispy topping that elevates classic mac and cheese to a gourmet level.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Cheese Mixture

• 1 pound dry shells or elbow macaroni
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Havarti cheese
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
• 6 ounces brie cheese (rind removed, cubed)

Crunchy Topping

• 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 tablespoons salted butter (at room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to ensure even cooking and easy serving.
2. Combine pasta and cheese mixture: In the prepared baking dish, combine the dry pasta, half of the shredded Havarti, cheddar, and fontina cheeses, the whole milk, sour cream, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, and 1/3 cup water. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Stir the mixture thoroughly so all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Add brie cheese: Evenly distribute the cubed brie cheese throughout the pasta mixture by pushing it down gently into the mixture to spread it out.
4. Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the pasta to cook through and the cheese to melt.
5. Prepare topping: While the pasta bakes, prepare the Ritz cracker topping by mixing the crushed Ritz crackers with room temperature salted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl until the mixture is evenly combined and crumbly.
6. Add remaining cheese and topping: After baking for 25 minutes, carefully remove the foil from the dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded Havarti, cheddar, and fontina cheeses evenly over the baked pasta. Then top this cheese layer with the prepared Ritz cracker mixture, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake uncovered: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and the Ritz topping turns a golden brown and crispy.
8. Serve: Remove the baked mac and cheese from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Serve hot to enjoy the creamy, cheesy flavors with a delightfully crunchy topping.

Notes

• To ensure the pasta cooks perfectly, do not pre-cook the dry shells or elbow macaroni; they cook in the oven along with the cheese sauce and liquids.
• Removing the rind from the brie is important to avoid bitterness in the dish.
• If you prefer a spicier mac and cheese, increase the cayenne pepper slightly, but do so cautiously to maintain balance.
• The topping can be prepared ahead of time and stored refrigerated until ready to use.
• For a lighter version, substitute whole milk for 2% milk and reduce the butter quantity in the topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food, cheesy pasta, homemade mac and cheese