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Ultimate Creamy Mac and Cheese Bake

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A warm, cheesy, and comforting mac and cheese bake featuring a creamy béchamel base and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes until golden and bubbling but not browned.
  3. Slowly pour in warmed whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook and whisk until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes, forming a creamy béchamel base.
  4. Remove from heat. Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
  5. Gradually add sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses, stirring gently until fully melted and smooth.
  6. Fold the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, coating every noodle.
  7. In a small bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated.
  8. Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the surface. Dot with remaining 1 tbsp butter if desired.
  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy and the cheese sauce is bubbling.
  10. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to thicken slightly.

Notes

Slightly undercook pasta before baking to avoid mushy noodles. Use low heat when melting cheese to prevent graininess. Toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil for a lighter, crispier topping. Warm milk before adding to roux to avoid lumps. If sauce thickens too much before baking, stir in a splash of milk to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/ultimate-creamy-mac-and-cheese-bake-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/