Method

• To save yourself some time, make and bake homemade macaroni and cheese the day before. Prepare and bake it as you normally would. Allow the macaroni and cheese to cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate it. The next day, simply reheat it by baking it covered for 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover it during the last five minutes of baking to crisp the crust slightly.

Drawbacks

• The one drawback to baking macaroni and cheese ahead of time is that the pasta will absorb some of the sauce during storage. If you like a firm macaroni and cheese you probably won't mind this. If, on the other hand, you crave soft, creamy macaroni and cheese, you might be disappointed. Additionally, if you use a bread crumb topping, the topping might become soggy during refrigeration.

Solutions

• To keep homemade macaroni and cheese soft and creamy, try a few alternatives. One option is to remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven sooner than you normally would so the dish is saucier. Another option is to prepare the dish and refrigerate it without baking. Bake it for 40 to 60 minutes right before serving. The most full-proof strategy for cutting your prep time while preserving a thick, creamy dish is to make the components ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. Make the cheese sauce by adding grated cheese to a white sauce and melting it. Season it, cover it and refrigerate it. At the same time, boil the macaroni noodles until they're tender. Rinse, drain and refrigerate them. Rinse the pasta again the next day and stir it to separate it. Combine the pasta with the sauce and bake according to the recipe's directions. Add bread crumbs before baking.

Options

• One of the best things about homemade macaroni and cheese is its versatility. Not only can you prepare it in advance, but you can personalize it with a few additions. For the creamiest mac and cheese, use a ratio of two parts shredded cheese to one part pasta. Try using heavy cream instead of a white sauce for a lighter, fresher end result, similar to an au gratin dish. To dress up the ultimate kid food, use a savory cheese, such as Gruyere or pecorino Romano. Try seasoning it with chopped bacon, dry mustard, minced dill or green chilis. The classic version has a topping of bread crumbs, but feel free to omit this extra step. Baked macaroni and cheese goes from casual weeknight fare to something special with just a few extra steps.