Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy baked mac and cheese recipe. Rich and cheesy, with a crunchy breadcrumb topping, it’s a family favorite that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Mac and Cheese:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Macaroni: Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Melt butter in a pot, whisk in flour, then gradually whisk in milk and cream. Add mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir in cheeses until smooth.
- Combine and Bake: Add cooked pasta to sauce, pour into baking dish. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over mac and cheese. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or a pinch of cayenne.
- Broil for the last 2–3 minutes for a crispy topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
