Baked Mac and Cheese 🧀🍝

Title: Ultimate Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese 🧀🍝

Craving the ultimate comfort food? This Baked Mac and Cheese is the perfect solution! With its rich, creamy cheese sauce and golden, crispy topping, this dish is sure to become a household favorite. Let’s dive into how you can make this irresistible classic at home.

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

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

For the 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 🧀

For the Spices:

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

For the Toppings:

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

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). 🔥 This will ensure your mac and cheese bakes to perfection.

2. Cook the Pasta:

• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni for one minute less than the package directions for al dente. This ensures the pasta stays firm after baking. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and toss it with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. Set it aside. 🍝

3. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:

• In a skillet over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the flour and stir constantly until the mixture turns a pale brown color, about 1-2 minutes. 🍯 This forms the base of your sauce, known as a roux.

4. Add the Liquids:

• Gradually pour in the milk and cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep whisking for about 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat. 🍶

5. Mix in the Spices and Cheeses:

• With the heat off, add the mustard powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, paprika, black pepper, sharp cheddar, and Gruyère cheese. Stir everything together until well combined. Don’t worry if the cheese isn’t fully melted; it will continue to melt in the oven. 🧂🧀

6. Combine with Pasta:

• Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and stir until every piece of macaroni is well coated. 🍲

7. Transfer to a Baking Dish:

• Move the mac and cheese mixture into a medium-sized baking dish (about 9 inches). In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and a pinch of salt, then evenly sprinkle this topping over the mac and cheese. 🍞

8. Bake to Perfection:

• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. If you desire a crispier topping, switch to the broiler for the last minute or two. 🍽️

Serving and Enjoyment:

Let the baked mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. Serve it as a side dish or enjoy it as a main course for a cozy, satisfying meal.

Recipe Summary:

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

Dig in and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness of this Baked Mac and Cheese! Whether it’s a family dinner or a comfort food craving, this dish is sure to hit the spot. 😋

---

Let me know if you’d like to make any adjustments or need more recipes to add to your blog!

Print