Baked Mac and Cheese (Printable)
Creamy, cheesy pasta with golden crunchy topping perfect for comforting family meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
07 - 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Topping
13 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until mixture is foamy and lightly golden but not browned.
04 - Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking constantly until mixture thickens and just begins to bubble, about 5-7 minutes.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in cheddar cheese, Gruyère cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until all cheese is melted and sauce is completely smooth.
06 - Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly until every piece of pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
07 - Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
08 - In a medium bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Mix well until butter is evenly distributed.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
10 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is deep golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges.
11 - Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère creates layers of flavor that feel sophisticated but comfortingly familiar
- That golden panko crust stays crispy even underneath the creamy sauce, giving you the perfect texture contrast in every bite
02 -
- Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference since pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
- The sauce will look too thin when you first combine it with pasta, but it thickens perfectly in the oven
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so pull your milk and cream out about 20 minutes before starting
- If your sauce seems too thick, add warm milk a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency