Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate comfort food, look no further than this Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe. This dish is a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness with a crispy, golden-brown topping that makes every bite pure bliss. Made with a rich cheese sauce and baked to perfection, this mac and cheese is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Whether you’re making it for a holiday feast, a cozy dinner, or just because you’re craving something delicious, this baked mac and cheese will satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul.
This Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe offers the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy interior and a crunchy, golden topping. The rich cheese sauce is made with a blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for a wonderfully gooey texture and deep flavor. The baked crust adds a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy pasta beneath. Each bite is a perfect mix of textures and flavors, making this dish an instant classic in your kitchen.
Tools to Use
- Large pot (for boiling pasta)
- Medium saucepan (for making cheese sauce)
- Whisk
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
For the Mac and Cheese:
- Cook the Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbly. Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Add the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, stirring to combine.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
For the Topping:
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Top the Mac and Cheese: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese in the baking dish.
- Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. For an extra crispy topping, you can broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and makes it easier to scoop. Serve hot, and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience!
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Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot (for boiling pasta)
- Medium saucepan (for making cheese sauce)
- Whisk
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- For the Mac and Cheese:
- Cook the Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbly. Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Add the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, stirring to combine.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- For the Topping:
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Top the Mac and Cheese: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese in the baking dish.
- Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. For an extra crispy topping, you can broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and makes it easier to scoop. Serve hot, and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience!
Tips for Cooking
- Cheese Choices: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses to suit your taste. Gruyère, Gouda, or Monterey Jack can add unique flavors to your mac and cheese.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the mac and cheese ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Crispy Topping: For an even crispier topping, mix the panko breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of paprika before sprinkling over the mac and cheese.
- Creamy Sauce: If you prefer a creamier mac and cheese, you can add an extra 1/2 cup of milk or cream to the cheese sauce.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is the epitome of comfort food. It’s creamy, cheesy, and topped with a crunchy, golden breadcrumb crust that makes it utterly irresistible. The combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses creates a rich and gooey sauce that envelops each piece of pasta in deliciousness. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish at a holiday gathering or as a main course for a cozy dinner at home, this mac and cheese is sure to be a hit. It’s easy to make, versatile, and can be customized to suit your personal preferences. Give it a try, and you’ll see why this is the best baked mac and cheese recipe around!
We hope you enjoy making and devouring this Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe! It’s a true classic that brings joy to any meal with its rich, creamy sauce and crunchy topping. Perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or any time you need a little comfort food in your life, this baked mac and cheese is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Happy cooking, and don’t forget to share your delicious results with us!
