Description
Creamy, cheesy, and golden — this Classic Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food for any occasion! 🧀✨
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually add milk and cream, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until fully melted and creamy.
- Combine pasta with cheese sauce and pour into prepared baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly on top.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Serve hot.
Notes
💡 Tip: For extra flavor, add cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or a blend of cheeses. This classic is perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Comfort Food, Family Recipes
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: classic mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, family recipe