The macaroni in this Ina Garten recipe for Overnight Mac and Cheese, which only has five ingredients, does not even need to be boiled. The traditional dish of comfort food can be served as an entrée on a hectic evening or as a side dish for special occasions and potlucks. It pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, meatloaf, pot roast, and fried chicken, among other dishes!

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Mac And Cheese Recipe:

• Instead, this Ina Garten recipe for a more classic baked macaroni and cheese that is served in the South. It has a solid texture and is produced with a straightforward mix of macaroni, butter, cheese, and milk.
• These variations of mac and cheese do not make use of any creamy sauces; rather, they frequently use eggs as a means of assisting the meal in “setting up.” However, eggs are not required in this scenario at all.
• Because everything is cooked at the same time in the same dish, the macaroni will soak up the milk, and you will end up with a very cheesy, delicious, and savory macaroni and cheese bake with very little work on your part.

What Is Overnight Mac And Cheese?

It just takes 30-35 minutes to make macaroni and cheese. The secret is to not cook the pasta ahead of time but rather to soak it beforehand. Because it has already been hydrated, all you need to do to cook the pasta is add some water to it and put it in the microwave for one to two minutes. You will just need a microwave, a mug, and any additional toppings or ingredients that you choose; you will not require a saucepan or a large amount of water to boil.

Where Did Mac And Cheese Come From?

It should come as no surprise that the origin of macaroni and cheese can be traced back to Italy, the birthplace of many delectable dishes. The Italian cookbook is known as “Liber de Coquina,” also known as “Book of Cooking,” and dates back to the 13th century. Within this cookbook is a dish referred to as “de lasagnas,” which culinary historians believe to be the first recipe for macaroni and cheese.

What Type Of Mac To Use In Overnight Mac And Cheese?  

Dry pasta fashioned like tubes, elbow macaroni is sometimes known as “elbows.” Macaroni is typically produced from durum wheat and is chopped into small lengths. Macaroni with a curved shape is sometimes referred to as elbow macaroni. Although certain home devices are capable of making macaroni forms, the vast majority of macaroni and other types of pasta are produced professionally by large-scale extrusion.

What Ingredients To Make Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese?

This is simply a brief rundown of the straightforward items that you’ll need to put together a dish of macaroni and cheese that’s simple to create. As is customary, the printed recipe box located at the bottom of the post provides comprehensive directions for preparation as well as precise measurements to use.

• Uncooked elbow macaroni: Macaroni elbow that has not been cooked; the pasta should not be cooked before being added to the pan. This recipe has not been tried with other types of noodles, which might result in a shift in the required amount of cooking time. If you want a traditional mac and cheese, stick with elbows.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Instead of purchasing pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese, it is preferable to grate the cheese yourself using a cheese grater. The stabilizers and anti-caking additives contained in the pre-packaged shredded cheese prevent it from melting as smoothly as a block of hand-grated cheddar would. You are welcome to try out other combinations of various types of cheese that melt well, such as Velveeta, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Colby, Gruyere, and Colby-Jack cheeses.
• Butter: exactly the right amount to impart a luxurious quality to the meal.
• Kosher salt: For seasoning the pasta as it cooks, kosher salt is used.
• Milk: While I like full milk, you may also use low-fat milk if you choose.

How To Make Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese?

• Grease a baking dish that measures 13 inches by 9 inches. Place a layer of spaghetti equal to half of the total amount on the bottom of the dish.
• Spread half of the butter over the surface, then sprinkle with half of the salt, and then cover with half of the cheese.
• Repeat the layering process with the remaining macaroni, cheese, butter, and salt. This time, use all of the other ingredients.
• Pour milk over the top in an equal layer.
• Refrigerate overnight after covering with aluminum foil and storing in the refrigerator (about 12 hours, or up to 24 hours).
• Bake for approximately 45 minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius), while covered with foil. 
• During the final 10 minutes of cooking, take off the foil to enable the top to brown. 
• Put the dish under the broiler for a few minutes towards the conclusion of the cooking process so that the top may get nice and crispy.

Recipe Tips 

• As a result of the cooked pasta soaking in the milk, while it bakes, this version of mac and cheese has a firmer consistency and a drier overall texture. If you like your macaroni and cheese to be on the creamier side, you should start with a roux and then add the cheese sauce.
• Before you put the casserole in the oven, let it sit in the refrigerator for about twenty-four hours, during which time the noodles will soak up the milk and become more pliable. At the very least, you should let the noodles soak for between 8 and 12 hours.
• Instead of utilizing bags of pre-shredded cheese from the supermarket, start with blocks of cheese that you grate yourself at home. Blocks of cheese are much easier to work with. Because the pre-shredded cheese contains stabilizers and other additives, it is designed to keep the cheese from clumping together. This, in turn, hinders the cheese’s ability to melt evenly in the dish.
• If you want the top of your macaroni and cheese to be browner and crispier, you may achieve this by placing the dish under the broiler for the last minute or two of the baking process. Simply keep a watchful eye on it so that the cheese (or bread crumbs) that is placed on top does not become charred.
• Just before serving, sprinkle the dish with a little bit of paprika, chives, or parsley, or you could even use green onions.

Recipe Variations

• Use a mixture of almost any tasty melting cheeses that you like using whatever proportions you see fit. Try some Velveeta (American), Colby or Colby-Jack, Gruyere, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella, for example. Other options are Colby or Colby-Jack, Gruyere, and gouda. There is an almost infinite number of choices, so select your favorite!
• After removing the cover for the dish and letting it cook for another 10 minutes, remove the cover and sprinkle the top with some toasted breadcrumbs.
• Add even more flavor by incorporating a pinch of garlic powder or some spicy sauce into the milk mixture using a whisk.
• Add some veggies, such as frozen peas or broccoli, to give the dish more substance. Before adding broccoli to a meal that calls for a hard vegetable like broccoli, it is essential to either parboil or steam the broccoli until it is tender.
• Add meat, such as shredded cooked chicken, bacon that has been fried, or ham that has been left over.
• Are you preparing meals for a tiny family? Prepare the casserole by halving all of the ingredients and baking it in a square dish measuring 8 inches.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Overnight Mac And Cheese?

Macaroni and cheese should be poured onto a baking dish that has been buttered. of the macaroni and cheese. Continue baking until the temperature on the inside reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top, and then bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

How Do You Know When Overnight Mac And Cheese Is Done?

When a thermometer put into the thickest section of the turkey breast reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, your turkey breast is ready to be served. If you cook your meat to temperatures higher than 165 degrees Fahrenheit, you run the danger of it being on the dry side. I can keep a close eye on the temperature of the turkey thanks to the probe of an oven-safe thermometer that I insert into the bird before cooking it. In addition to this, after you remove the turkey from the oven, the cooking process will not be complete. When the internal temperature of your turkey reaches around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the oven and tent it with aluminum foil for five to ten minutes, or until it reaches 165 degrees.

The Best Cheese To Use Overnight Mac And Cheese?

When making macaroni and cheese, the type of cheese that you use is just a question of personal choice. Here in the United States, my go-to cheese is traditional sharp cheddar, which is not only delicious but also melts beautifully. Mix it up and use a mixture of any excellent melting cheeses, such as Velveeta (American), Colby or Colby-Jack, Gruyere, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss, or mozzarella. You may also mix it up and use a combination of any good melting cheeses. A little bit of grated Parmesan cheese on top is another great touch that you may add. There is an almost infinite number of choices, so select your favorite!

What To Serve With Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese?

For a quick and simple meal that’s perfect for lunch or supper, try serving this Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese all by itself! But these are some of my favorite things to pair it with:

• Meatloaf
• BBQ Pulled Chicken or Pork.
• Cod
• Coleslaw.
• Boneless Chicken Thighs
• Applesauce.
• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Grilled meats – chicken, pork, or steak.
• Sloppy Joes.
• Broccoli Salad

How To Get Creamy Overnight Mac And Cheese?

You have to let it out overnight if you want your macaroni and cheese to be creamy. Carry on the procedure of stacking the dish with the remaining noodles, cheese, butter, and salt. Pour milk on top in a layer that is evenly distributed.

How Do You Keep Mac And Cheese Warm Without Drying It Out?

The macaroni and cheese may be served at a potluck or any other occasion when you need the meal to stay warm for several hours if you keep it heated in a crockpot. If you spray the insert of the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray, you may prevent the macaroni from adhering to the insert of the crockpot without adding any more calories or fat.

How Long does Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese Last In The Fridge?

You may store any leftover Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese in a jar that has a cover that fits tightly on it and keep it in the refrigerator for anywhere between three and four days.

Can You Freeze Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese?

I do not believe that the leftover Ina Garten Overnight Mac and Cheese should be stored in the freezer because it contains cheese. After being removed from the freezer, the spaghetti will have the texture of mush.

How To Reheat Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese?

In The Oven:

• Put the ingredients for Ina Garten’s Overnight Mac and Cheese onto an oven-safe dish so it can be cooked in the oven. Take great care to remove from the container nothing except the items that you will need.
• Mix the milk until it is entirely incorporated after first thoroughly integrating the milk with the Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese and then adding one spoonful of milk for each cup of the dish.
• Once the dish has been wrapped in aluminum foil, place it in an oven that has been warmed to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches the amount of doneness that you prefer.

In The Microwave:

• Before serving, you should put your Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese into the microwave and heat it for one minute at medium power. You should do this before serving each portion.
• When you take the Ina Garten Overnight Mac And Cheese out of the microwave, make sure to give it a good stir before serving.
• Check the temperature to determine whether or not there is sufficient heat. If you believe that it needs to be heated for a longer period, continue to heat it for intervals of thirty seconds until it reaches the temperature that you like it to be at.

FAQ Section

Turkey Breast Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 510
• Total Fat 29g
• Saturated Fat 16g
• Trans Fat 0.8g
• Cholesterol 96mg
• Sodium 590mg
• Potassium 184mg
• Total Carbohydrate 39g
• Dietary Fiber 2g
• Sugars 3.6g
• Protein 24g
• Vitamin A 21%
• Vitamin C 0%
• Calcium 42%
• Iron 9.3%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source