Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a comfort food classic, with creamy, cheesy pasta topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Here’s how to make it:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or other pasta of choice
- Salt for pasta water
- For the Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (optional, for added richness)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for color and flavor)
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes to make a roux. The mixture should be smooth and lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, continuing to whisk until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and the Gruyère cheese (if using), stirring until melted and smooth.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Remove the sauce from heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until all the pasta is well coated.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Transfer the cheesy pasta to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika (if using). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.
- Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve:
- Let the baked macaroni and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy it as a main dish or as a side to your favorite meals.
This baked macaroni and cheese is rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner, potluck, or holiday meal.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a comfort food classic, with creamy, cheesy pasta topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or other pasta of choice
- Salt for pasta water
- For the Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (optional, for added richness)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for color and flavor)
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes to make a roux. The mixture should be smooth and lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, continuing to whisk until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and the Gruyère cheese (if using), stirring until melted and smooth.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Remove the sauce from heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until all the pasta is well coated.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Transfer the cheesy pasta to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika (if using). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.
- Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve:
- Let the baked macaroni and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy it as a main dish or as a side to your favorite meals.
This baked macaroni and cheese is rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner, potluck, or holiday meal.