Meet a macaroni made for the grown up’s table! Slightly sophisticated and fully delicious, Muenster Mac and Cheese is creamy, savory and baked to perfection.
A Cheese Lover’s Mac n’ Cheese
This dreamy baked Muenster Mac and Cheese is sure to be a family favorite. With creamy muenster cheese sauce over al dente pasta and extra cheese baked on top, it’s the absolute cheesiest mac ‘n cheese around…with a slightly more grown up appeal.
This macaroni and cheese is so satisfying on its own with a side of roasted vegetables, but we also love serving it as a side dish with grilled chicken, fried chicken, meatloaf, barbecue and more!
What is Muenster Cheese?
What’s Muenster cheese and why does it make ah-mazing macaroni and cheese? So glad you asked! Like Gouda, Muenster is a semi-soft cheese so it makes the dreamiest, creamiest mac and cheese. With a buttery, nutty flavor that’s less sharp than cheddar and a little more complex, it gives this Muenster Macaroni and Cheese a more… sophisticated appeal.
But don’t worry–the kids will still gobble it up! Muenster was actually my favorite cheese growing up. Like my Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser for sure.
What Do I Need to Make Muenster Macaroni and Cheese?
- Elbow macaroni pasta
- Butter
- All purpose flour
- Kosher salt
- Milk
- Shredded muenster cheese
- 8-inch baking dish
Comfort Foods You Can’t Resist
These family-style dinners will fill ’em up with comfort and good food!
- The Best Beef Stew: A hearty, warm meal that’s made with fresh ingredients and whole lotta love.
- Great Grilled Cheese: A warm, melty grilled cheese with a crisp butter outside and a gooey melted center is the ultimate comfort food.
- Crowd-Pleasing Turkey Lasagna: Gather the family around the table for the comfort of a hot, delicious meal. Fresh herbs, creamy cheeses, and ground turkey make this pasta dish a labor of love that everyone will enjoy.
How to Make Muenster Mac and Cheese
- Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and salt and continue to whisk until thickened.
- Slowly whisk in the milk.
- Continue to whisk often until starting to thicken again.
- Turn the heat to low and stir in 1 and ½ cups of the shredded muenster cheese until melted. Remove from heat.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained, stir it into the cheese sauce.
- Butter an 8-inch baking dish and then pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the baking dish.
- Top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded muenster cheese
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and starting to brown in spots.
More Hot Meals in Minutes
Get family dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with My Favorite Hot Meals in Minutes. These delicious and quick dinner recipes are perfect for weeknight meals when time is short and the crowd is hungry.
How to Store Leftover Muenster Macaroni and Cheese
To store any leftovers, place the leftover macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Leftovers can be reheated in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
To make ahead, prepare the recipe through adding the shredded cheese on top and then cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate until ready to bake and serve. This process can be done up to 3 days in advance. When baking the refrigerated macaroni and cheese, cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes and then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes or until bubbly and starting to brown in spots on top.
If short on time, you can skip baking the dish altogether and just serve it straight from the saucepan. We just love the slightly crispy texture and flavor of the cheese when it’s bakes on top.
If you make this Muenster Mac and Cheese and post a pic to social, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes and ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Muenster Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Meet a macaroni made for the grown up’s table! Slightly sophisticated and fully delicious, Muenster Mac and Cheese is creamy, savory and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ cups elbow macaroni pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded muenster cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and salt and continue to whisk until thickened. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to whisk often until starting to thicken again.
- Turn the heat to low and stir in 1 and ½ cups of the shredded muenster cheese until melted. Remove from heat.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained, stir it into the cheese sauce.
- Butter an 8-inch baking dish and then pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded muenster cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and starting to brown in spots.
