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baked mac and cheese recipe

Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe turns boring pasta into creamy, cheesy heaven that's so good you'll want to face-plant directly into the dish. Rich, indulgent, and topped with golden breadcrumbs that crunch when you break through, it's the kind of food that makes people forget their manners and go back for thirds when they think nobody's watching.
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Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, comfort food
Keyword: american comfort food, baked mac and cheese, best mac and cheese, comfort food dinner, creamy cheese sauce, crispy breadcrumb topping, family meal recipe, mac and cheese recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 520kcal
Cost: $12.50

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot for pasta To boil elbow macaroni properly
  • 1 Heavy-bottomed saucepan For making smooth cheese sauce without scorching
  • 1 Whisk Essential for lump-free cheese sauce
  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish Perfect size for golden, bubbly mac and cheese
  • 1 Cheese grater For freshly grated cheese that melts smoothly

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni or any short pasta shape
  • 6 tablespoons butter unsalted for making roux
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour for thickening cheese sauce
  • 4 cups whole milk room temperature works best
  • ½ cup heavy cream adds extra richness
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated from block not pre-shredded
  • 2 cups Gruyère cheese grated for nutty flavor
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated for depth
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated if possible
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder optional but recommended
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs for crispy topping
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted for breadcrumb mixture
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook elbow macaroni until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions). Drain but don't rinse. Toss with a little butter to prevent sticking.
    cook the pasta for mac and cheese
  • In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in cheeses until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and mustard powder.
    whisking the cheese sauce for mac and cheese
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce and transfer to prepared dish. In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over mac and cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. The top should be crispy while the inside remains creamy.
    layer and bake the mac and cheese

Notes

The real magic of perfect mac and cheese happens when you build that silky cheese sauce with patience and let it bubble into golden, crispy-topped perfection that fills your kitchen with the kind of comfort food aroma that brings everyone running to the table.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 420mg | Iron: 1.8mg