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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe: Easy Homemade with Crunchy Breadcrumbs

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This creamy baked mac and cheese features a silky cheese sauce, a blend of cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan, and a golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping. It’s classic comfort food that’s easy to make and perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated (optional)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Boil macaroni in a large pot of salted water for 1-2 minutes less than package directions (about 6 minutes) until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and pale golden.
  4. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened (5-7 minutes).
  5. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until smooth and melted. Season with salt, pepper, ground mustard, and nutmeg. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Pour drained macaroni into cheese sauce and mix gently until well coated.
  7. Transfer mac and cheese mixture to prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
  8. In a small bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan. Stir in parsley if using. Sprinkle evenly over mac and cheese.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is golden and edges are bubbling. For extra crunch, broil for last 2 minutes, watching closely.
  10. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Shred your own cheese for best melt. Don’t overcook pasta; it finishes in the oven. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk. For gluten-free, use GF pasta and flour. For dairy-free, use plant-based alternatives. Let casserole rest before serving for neat slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked macaroni, comfort food, creamy, cheddar, casserole, easy, homemade, breadcrumbs, family dinner

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