Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by many. When baking mac and cheese, one of the most common questions is whether or not you should cover the dish with foil or a lid while it bakes. There are pros and cons to covering mac and cheese, and preferences vary. This article will go over the key factors to consider when deciding if you should cover mac and cheese while baking.
The Purpose of Covering Mac and Cheese
The main reasons to cover mac and cheese while baking are:
- To prevent the top from drying out
- To keep the mac and cheese moist and creamy
- To melt and brown the cheese evenly
- To help the pasta cook through evenly
Covering the pan traps in steam and moisture. This prevents the top and edges from drying out while allowing the interior pasta and sauce to gently cook. The lid or foil essentially creates an oven-safe environment for the mac and cheese to bake to creamy, cheesy perfection.
Drawbacks of Covering
However, there are some potential drawbacks to covering mac and cheese:
- The top cheese layer won’t brown and crisp
- Excess moisture can make the mac and cheese watery
- Trapped steam can make the cheese sauce break and turn grainy
- It may oversoften some pasta shapes
If you want your mac and cheese to have a nice crispy, caramelized cheesy top, covering the pan will prevent the creation of that tasty crust. And while moisture is good, too much can lead to a thin, watery cheese sauce. The steam can also cause the emulsion of cheese and milk or cream to break down into a grainy mess.
Tips for Baking Uncovered Mac and Cheese
If you opt to bake your mac and cheese uncovered, here are some tips for success:
- Use a broiler-safe pan such as metal or ceramic
- Cook the pasta very al dente so it doesn’t oversoften
- Be sure the cheese sauce coats each piece of pasta
- Sprinkle extra cheese or breadcrumbs over the top
- Bake at high heat like 375°F to brown the top
- Keep an eye on it to prevent burning
The key is to make sure the pasta and cheese sauce are balanced so the pasta soaks up the liquid while baking. Extra toppings like cheese and breadcrumbs also help soak up moisture and crisp up. Using a high temperature will accelerate browning and crisping on the edges and top. However, uncovered mac and cheese can dry out and burn quickly so keep a close watch.
Tips for Covered Mac and Cheese
If baking your mac and cheese covered, follow these tips:
- Use an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil to seal
- Poke small holes in the foil for some steam ventilation
- Bake at a lower temp like 325°F to prevent burning on the bottom
- Bake covered for most of the time, then uncover at the end if you want some crisping on top
- Add extra cheese or breadcrumbs before uncovering to help browning
- Check for doneness before uncovering to prevent dryness
Baking at a lower temp is gentler on the pasta and prevents the bottom from overbaking. Venting the foil allows some steam to escape so the mac and cheese doesn’t get too watery. Letting it bake covered most of the time keeps everything moist and creamy. Then uncover toward the end for extra browning and crisping on top if desired.
How Long to Bake Covered vs Uncovered
Covered mac and cheese takes a little longer to bake than uncovered since the steam and direct heat work together to gently cook the pasta and cheese sauce. Here are general guidelines for baking times:
| Baking Method | Time |
|---|---|
| Covered | 45-60 minutes |
| Uncovered | 30-45 minutes |
Check for doneness before removing either uncovered or covered baked mac and cheese. The pasta should be tender with a creamy sauce and melted cheese. If the edges are getting too dark before the center is done, tent foil around those edges only while baking uncovered.
Should You Stir Mac and Cheese While Baking?
Stirring mac and cheese part way through baking can help ensure even cooking and prevent burning on top or bottom. However, stirring too much can break up that delicious crispy cheese crust on top. Here are some tips for stirring baked mac and cheese:
- Stir gently after 20-25 minutes of baking uncovered
- Stir again at 35-40 minutes if baking a full hour uncovered
- Avoid stirring the top 1-inch layer to preserve crispy crust
- Don’t stir covered mac and cheese until ready to serve
- Add a little extra cheese or milk when stirring to replace lost moisture
Be very gentle when stirring so as not to break up the pasta. Drain off excess liquid if the mac and cheese seems too watery after stirring.
Should You Add a Crust Layer on Top?
Adding an extra layer like breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or cheese on top of the mac and cheese can enhance browning and texture. Here are some benefits of a crust layer:
- It helps dry out and crisp the surface
- It adds crunch and texture contrast
- It soaks up extra moisture from the cheese sauce
- It adds flavor from spices, herbs, cheeses, etc.
- It gives you that perfect just-under-the-broiler char
When baking uncovered, a crust layer can help mimic the browning effect you would get from covering while still allowing moisture to escape from the sides. It also just takes mac and cheese to the next level of deliciousness!
Should You Broil Uncovered Mac and Cheese?
Broiling mac and cheese at the very end of baking is a great way to get that perfectly browned and crispy cheese crust on top. Here’s how to do it:
- Bake mac and cheese uncovered until almost done, 25-35 minutes
- Remove pan from oven and turn on the broiler to high
- Sprinkle extra cheese, breadcrumbs, etc. evenly over top if desired
- Place pan under the hot broiler for 3-5 minutes until golden brown
- Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving
The intense direct heat from the broiler will rapidly brown and crisp the toppings in just a few minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning. Letting it rest afterwards allows the bubbling cheese sauce to settle.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, whether to cover or uncover mac and cheese when baking comes down to your personal preferences with moisture, doneness of pasta, and crisping. Here are some final tips to keep in mind:
- Covering is best for super creamy, ooey gooey mac with perfectly cooked pasta
- Uncovering is best for crisp, caramelized edges and cheese crust
- Stirring helps distribute moisture and prevent burning
- Toppings amp up texture, flavor, and browning
- Use lower temps for covered, higher for uncovered
- Broiling at the end browns uncovered mac and cheese beautifully
Experiment to find your ideal baking method and cook times based on the ingredients, pasta shape, oven variances, and browning preferences. Mac and cheese is very forgiving – no matter which way you bake it, you really can’t go wrong with this creamy comforting dish.