Description
This classic Baked Mac & Cheese recipe delivers creamy, cheesy pasta baked to perfection with a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping. Featuring a blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella cheeses, combined with a rich béchamel sauce and finished under the broiler for an irresistible crunchy crust, this comforting dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
- Make Roux: In a saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add Milk and Cream: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream. Continue cooking and stirring frequently until the mixture thickens into a creamy béchamel sauce.
- Season Sauce: Stir in salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to flavor the sauce. Remove the saucepan from heat once the seasoning is evenly incorporated.
- Add Cheeses: Mix in the shredded sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella cheeses until the sauce is smooth and all the cheese is fully melted.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until the pasta is evenly coated. Transfer this cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika if using. Mix until the breadcrumbs are well coated.
- Apply Topping: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the baking dish to create a crispy top layer.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until it is golden brown and bubbling. For extra crispiness, broil for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, use whole milk and heavy cream as indicated.
- Using a mix of cheeses ensures a rich flavor and gooey texture.
- Broiling at the end creates a perfect crunchy topping; watch closely to avoid burning.
- Optional Parmesan and smoked paprika in the topping add extra flavor but can be omitted for a simpler breadcrumb crust.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, casserole, crispy topping, macaroni and cheese
