Description
This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe delivers a rich and indulgent comfort food dish that combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious, cheesy sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Topped with a crunchy panko breadcrumb layer, it’s perfect as a hearty main course or a delicious side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping (optional)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
- Make Roux and Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux, which will thicken the sauce without lumps.
- Add Milk and Cream: Slowly whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, ensuring the mixture stays smooth. Continue cooking and stirring for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season and Add Cheese: Stir in salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and optional mustard powder to infuse flavor. Gradually add the shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until all the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat every piece evenly. Pour the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping and Bake: If using, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter to create a crunchy topping. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked macaroni and cheese to rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the sauce thicken and improves the overall flavor before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try blending cheeses such as Gouda, Gruyère, or Fontina in place of or alongside cheddar and mozzarella.
- Add-ins like cooked bacon, sautéed spinach, or roasted garlic can add a delicious twist to the dish.
- This recipe can be made ahead of time; simply reheat with a splash of milk to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
