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Ultimate Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Crispy Topping

Two servings of rich, creamy baked mac and cheese recipe with a crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb topping.
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This recipe delivers the ultimate comfort food: baked macaroni and cheese with a rich, creamy interior and a perfectly golden, crispy topping. It is simple to make and ideal for family dinners or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
  • 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than recommended). Drain well and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  4. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and lightly golden. Do not let it brown heavily.
  5. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-8 minutes). Do not let it boil rapidly.
  6. Remove the sauce from the heat. Whisk in the dry mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper, if using.
  7. Add the grated sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack cheeses to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This is your ultimate cheese sauce recipe.
  8. Add the cooked, drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until every piece of pasta is fully coated.
  9. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  10. In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
  11. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
  12. Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For the creamiest result, grate your cheese fresh from a block; pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce less smooth.
  • If you are making this for a crowd, you can assemble the entire dish (without the topping) a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate. Add the topping and bake, adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
  • This recipe is a fantastic holiday side dish, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://gourmetgaze.com/baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/