Description
Classic Baked Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food with tender pasta and a crispy breadcrumb topping, perfect for family meals or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g macaroni elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter or 2 tsp oil
- 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups warmed milk (low or full fat)
- 2 cups freshly shredded gruyere cheese or cheddar and Colby mix
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook the macaroni in boiling water until one minute before fully cooked; drain and toss with 1 tbsp butter.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and salt for the topping; set aside.
- Melt 4 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in warmed milk, cooking and stirring until thick and creamy, about 5–8 minutes.
- Remove from heat; stir in cheeses, salt, and optional seasonings.
- Combine cheese sauce with macaroni, stirring thoroughly.
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish; evenly sprinkle breadcrumb topping on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; it should be slightly underdone before baking.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture.
- Customize with different cheeses or add veggies for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container; refrigerate up to 3–5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Reheat in the oven with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Baked Mac and Cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked macaroni recipe, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake