Description
The Best Baked Mac & Cheese — creamy inside, golden and crispy on top! 🧀✨ The ultimate comfort food for holidays or weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat and add cheeses, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Combine cheese sauce with pasta, then pour into prepared baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
💡 Tip: For an extra flavor boost, mix in crispy bacon bits or top with extra cheddar before baking. Perfect side or main dish for holidays!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Comfort Food, Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy baked macaroni, comfort food, cheese casserole