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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

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This creamy baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender macaroni noodles in a rich, velvety cheese sauce and topped with a golden, gooey, crispy panko-cheese crust. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 cup extra shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente (about 6-7 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until bubbly but not browned.
  4. Slowly pour in whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Remove pan from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, parmesan, and cream cheese. Add Dijon mustard, black pepper, salt, and nutmeg. Mix until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
  6. Fold drained macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
  7. Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, extra cheddar, and extra parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni. Top with chopped parsley if desired.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until topping is golden brown and edges are bubbling. For extra color, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
  10. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and flour. Grate your own cheese for best results. Add roasted veggies or protein for variety. If sauce thickens too much, loosen with warm milk. Bake uncovered for a golden crust, but tent with foil if browning too quickly. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked macaroni, comfort food, creamy mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, family dinner, potluck, southern mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, casserole

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