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Baked Mac And Cheese

Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese – Creamy, Cheesy & Golden!

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This Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food—ultra creamy, irresistibly cheesy, and topped with a golden, buttery crust. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, potluck, or holiday gathering, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta:

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni

  • Salt (for boiling water)

For the Cheese Sauce:

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded (or Monterey Jack for milder flavor)

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and set aside.

  3. Make the roux: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux (should be golden, not brown).

  4. Add milk & cream: Slowly whisk in the milk and cream until smooth. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens.

  5. Season & melt cheese: Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyère, stirring until completely melted and smooth.

  6. Combine pasta & sauce: Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and mix until well coated.

  7. Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.

  8. Prepare topping: In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.

  9. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

  10. Garnish & serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley (optional) and serve warm.

Notes

  • For extra creaminess, use only milk and cream without water or low-fat options.

  • You can swap cheeses based on taste—try smoked gouda, fontina, or pepper jack.

  • For a spicy twist, stir in chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce into the cheese sauce.

  • To make ahead, assemble without baking, cover, refrigerate up to 2 days, then bake as directed.

  • Author: Khadija
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish / Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 39g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Find it online: https://quickyfoodrecipe.com/ultimate-baked-mac-and-cheese-creamy-cheesy-golden/