Classic Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
This classic baked mac and cheese recipe serves up a creamy, cheesy comfort food that’s perfect for holiday dinners or cozy family meals. Featuring a blend of sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, a rich béchamel sauce, and a crunchy panko topping, this dish is baked to golden perfection and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni. Cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook the mixture for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux and eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream to the roux. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Then add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until completely melted and smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to coat every piece of pasta with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the dish: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter to ensure a golden, crunchy topping.
- Bake: Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Broil for extra crunch: For an additional crunchy topping, broil the mac and cheese for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving to allow the sauce to set for the best creamy texture.
Notes
- Add cooked bacon or caramelized onions for extra flavor and texture.
- Incorporate cream cheese into the sauce for an even creamier consistency.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven, adding a splash of milk to refresh the sauce if needed.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika or cayenne pepper into the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
- Always use freshly grated cheese for better melting and a smoother sauce.
Keywords: Classic baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, holiday side dish, cheesy macaroni, baked macaroni recipe, vegetarian comfort food
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