Description
Creamy homemade baked mac and cheese brings comfort to dinner tables across America. Rich cheddar and buttery breadcrumbs create a golden, irresistible casserole you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups whole milk
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare macaroni in a pot of salted boiling water until tender. Drain completely and set aside.
- Create a roux in a large saucepan by melting butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour and whisk continuously until the mixture turns golden and develops a nutty aroma, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually stream milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Season the sauce with mustard powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat.
- Incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses into the sauce, stirring until fully melted and creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated with the rich mixture.
- Transfer the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle the mixture uniformly across the top of the pasta.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the breadcrumb topping turns golden brown and the edges become slightly crispy.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure macaroni remains al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, keeping pasta firm and maintaining perfect bite.
- Select high-quality, sharp cheddar cheese for robust flavor that enhances overall taste and creamy consistency.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and using gluten-free pasta.
- Experiment with cheese combinations like gruyère, fontina, or smoked gouda to elevate classic mac and cheese with unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg