Description
Creamy homemade baked mac and cheese delivers ultimate comfort on a plate. Rich cheddar and tender pasta create a classic American side dish that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni
Cheese and Dairy:
- 4 cups (454 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
Seasonings and Topping:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) melted butter (for breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Boil macaroni in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain completely and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour, creating a smooth roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour milk and heavy cream into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove sauce from heat and incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until completely melted. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated.
- Transfer the cheesy macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle the mixture uniformly across the mac and cheese surface.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become crispy and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the sauce set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives for a healthier, dietary-friendly version.
- Use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese to create a lighter mac and cheese without sacrificing creamy texture.
- Add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower to boost nutritional value and create a more balanced dish.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations such as gruyère, fontina, or sharp white cheddar for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 582 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg