Description
This creamy baked mac and cheese combines a velvety cheese sauce with a crispy, golden breadcrumb topping for the ultimate comfort food dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni
- 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (750ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (250ml) heavy cream
- 3 cups (300g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100g) shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 2 tbsp (30g) melted butter
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Make the roux: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden.
- Add milk and cream: Gradually pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese: Turn off heat and stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese one handful at a time until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated.
- Make breadcrumb topping: In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and paprika (if using). Toss until evenly coated.
- Assemble and bake: Pour mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly on top. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until topping is golden and crispy. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
[‘Grate your own cheese for a smoother sauce.’, ‘Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra-crispy topping.’, ‘Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking to set.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta