Description
Hearty creamy baked mac and cheese delights pasta enthusiasts with its rich, comforting blend of cheeses and crispy golden breadcrumb topping. Indulgent flavors and smooth textures promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni
- 3 cups (300 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella or Gruyere cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk
- 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs or panko
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and position rack centrally for optimal heat circulation.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain thoroughly, ensuring no residual water remains.
- Roux Foundation: In a heavy saucepan, melt butter and whisk flour until a golden, fragrant base develops, eliminating raw flour undertones.
- Sauce Creation: Gradually incorporate warm milk and heavy cream into the roux, whisking continuously to achieve a silky, lump-free consistency. Simmer until sauce thickens and becomes luxuriously smooth.
- Cheese Infusion: Reduce heat and blend sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika to enhance depth of flavor.
- Assembly and Topping: Gently fold macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring complete coating. Transfer to a greased baking dish, then combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the surface, adding extra shredded cheddar for crunch and richness.
- Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges that signal perfect doneness.
- Serving Technique: Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, enabling sauce to set and flavors to meld. Serve immediately with generous, creamy portions that showcase the dish’s decadent texture.
Notes
- Choose the Right Cheese Blend: Combine sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a complex, rich flavor profile that melts smoothly and provides depth.
- Control Pasta Texture Carefully: Cook macaroni just until al dente (8-9 minutes), as it will continue cooking in the oven and prevent mushy, overcooked pasta.
- Master the Roux Technique: Whisk flour and butter thoroughly for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth, golden base for the cheese sauce.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Add warm milk gradually while whisking constantly to ensure a silky, lump-free sauce that holds its creamy consistency when baked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg