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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

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This creamy baked mac and cheese features silky noodles wrapped in a rich, homemade cheese sauce and topped with a golden, crispy breadcrumb crust. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for weeknights, gatherings, or whenever you crave nostalgic, cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni (about 3 cups dry)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/2 cup extra cheddar or parmesan (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Whisk in flour and cook for about 2 minutes until pale golden and nutty.
  4. Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Simmer gently until thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan until melted and silky. Add salt, pepper, mustard powder, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Pour drained pasta into the cheese sauce and gently fold together until noodles are coated.
  7. Transfer cheesy pasta to the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and extra cheddar or parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown. For extra-crispy crust, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  10. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use freshly shredded cheese. To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and flour. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat or stir in veggies like broccoli or tomatoes for variation. If reheating, add a splash of milk and cover with foil to keep it creamy.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, casserole, cheese, pasta, family dinner, easy recipe

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food-2/