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Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

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4.3 from 10 reviews

  • Author: Eliza
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This classic Baked Mac and Cheese recipe features tender elbow macaroni coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with Gruyere, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses, topped with a buttery panko breadcrumb crust and baked to golden perfection. Perfect comfort food that's both indulgent and crowd-pleasing, ideal for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 250g / 8 oz macaroni (elbow pasta)
  • 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter (or 2 tsp oil)

Topping

  • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Cheese Sauce

  • 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup plain / all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk, warmed (low or full fat)
  • 2 cups freshly shredded cheese, Gruyere preferred (followed by cheddar and Colby)
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (or more of other cheeses of choice)
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 1 minute to keep the pasta slightly firm. Drain the pasta.
  2. Toss in Butter: Return the drained pasta to the pot, add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, and toss until the butter is melted and the pasta is evenly coated. Set aside to cool while you prepare the cheese sauce.
  3. Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, melted unsalted butter, and salt. Set aside for sprinkling later.
  4. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 180°C (350°F), suitable for all oven types.
  5. Make Roux: In a large saucepan or an ovenproof skillet (such as a 26cm/9" cast iron skillet), melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to form a roux.
  6. Add Milk: Gradually add about 1 cup of warmed milk, stirring continuously to dissolve the flour paste. Then add the remaining milk, whisking until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
  7. Add Seasonings: Stir in salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder to the milk mixture.
  8. Thicken Sauce: Continue to cook the sauce over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring or whisking frequently, until it thickens to a creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon. You should be able to draw a line through the sauce with your finger.
  9. Add Cheese: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded Gruyere, cheddar/Colby, and mozzarella cheeses until combined. The cheese does not need to fully melt at this point.
  10. Adjust Salt: Taste the cheese sauce and adjust salt if necessary, though using the recommended cheeses usually provides enough seasoning.
  11. Assemble: Pour the cheese sauce into the pot containing the cooked macaroni. Stir quickly to combine, then transfer the mixture back into your skillet or into a baking dish.
  12. Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the prepared panko breadcrumb topping over the mac and cheese.
  13. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the breadcrumb topping is light golden brown. Avoid baking longer to prevent the sauce from drying out.
  14. Serve: Serve the baked mac and cheese immediately. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for added color and freshness.

Notes

  • Note 1: Using panko breadcrumbs gives a crispier topping compared to regular breadcrumbs.
  • Note 2: Gruyere is the best cheese for this recipe, but cheddar and Colby are good alternatives. Mozzarella adds a nice stretch and creaminess.
  • Note 3: Tossing the pasta with butter before assembling the sauce is optional but helps prevent the pasta from sticking together.
  • Note 4: Using an ovenproof skillet for assembling and baking helps reduce cleanup and maintains heat well.
  • Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the mac and cheese up to the baking step and refrigerate. Before serving, bake until the topping is golden and the dish is heated through.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipekind.com/baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/