Baked Mac and Cheese

Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe 🧀🍝

Who doesn’t love a warm, creamy, and oh-so-cheesy baked mac and cheese? This comforting dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, velvety cheese sauce, then tops it off with a crispy, golden breadcrumb crust. Whether you’re serving it as a main dish or a side, this recipe is sure to be a hit at your next gathering or family dinner.

Ingredients

Pasta:

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• ½ tablespoon olive oil or butter

Sauce:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup milk (microwave for 1 minute) 🥛
• 1¼ cups heavy cream (microwave for 1½ minutes) 🥛
• 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar 🧀
• 1 cup freshly grated Gruyère cheese 🧀

Spices:

• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt 🧂
• ¼ teaspoon paprika powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Toppings:

• ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 🧂

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it nice and hot while you prepare the mac and cheese.

2️⃣ Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the elbow macaroni for 1 minute less than the package instructions suggest for al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and toss it with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. Set aside. 🍝

3️⃣ Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the flour and stir constantly, cooking the roux until it turns a pale brown color, which should take about 1-2 minutes. 🍯

4️⃣ Add the Milk and Cream: Gradually pour in the warmed milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly. Continue to cook and whisk the mixture for about 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Once thickened, remove the skillet from the heat. 🍶

5️⃣ Mix in the Spices and Cheeses: With the heat off, add the mustard powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper to the béchamel sauce. Then, stir in the sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses. Don’t worry if the cheese doesn’t fully melt—this will happen in the oven. 🧂🧀

6️⃣ Combine with Pasta: Pour the cheese sauce over your cooked macaroni and stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy mixture. 🍲

7️⃣ Transfer to a Baking Dish: Spoon the macaroni and cheese mixture into a medium-sized baking dish, approximately 9 inches in size. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this buttery breadcrumb topping evenly over the macaroni. 🍞

8️⃣ Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbling. If the topping isn’t as crispy as you’d like, you can switch on the broiler for a minute or two, but keep a close eye to avoid burning. 🍽️

9️⃣ Enjoy! Let the mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to portion out and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this baked mac and cheese alongside a fresh salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or can be enjoyed on its own for a satisfying and indulgent treat.

Recipe Details:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories: Approx. 500 kcal per serving

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy and cheesy baked mac and cheese recipe. It’s perfect for cozy nights in, family dinners, or when you simply need a dish that brings pure joy with every bite. Happy cooking! 😋

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