Description
This creamy baked mac and cheese features a silky cheese sauce, tender pasta, and a crispy golden topping — the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb elbow macaroni or short pasta
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups warm milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta 1–2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain and drizzle lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. 💡 Pro Tip: Slightly undercook pasta — it will finish baking in the sauce!
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute until bubbly (this is your roux). Slowly pour in warm milk and cream, whisking constantly. Cook until thickened (about 5 minutes). Stir in cheeses, mustard powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add drained pasta into cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat every noodle. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add the Crunchy Topping: Mix panko, melted butter, and Parmesan in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.
- Serve: Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm. The creamy sauce and crispy topping are perfection in every bite.
Notes
For best texture, use a mix of cheeses — sharp cheddar for flavor and mozzarella for meltiness. Slightly undercooked pasta helps it stay firm after baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg