Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Indulge in comfort food perfection with Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe—a rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy dish topped with a golden, buttery panko crust. Featuring sharp cheddar cheese and a velvety béchamel sauce infused with yellow mustard and a hint of hot sauce for subtle tang and spice, this baked mac and cheese elevates a classic favorite to gourmet status. The crunchy breadcrumb topping seasoned with paprika adds the perfect texture contrast to every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy-to-follow recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Serve it as a decadent main dish or a crowd-pleasing side—either way, it’s guaranteed to delight!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
• 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, stirring constantly.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the yellow mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.

Step 6

Add the shredded cheddar cheese in handfuls, stirring after each addition until melted and smooth.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1359.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3050.5

Total Fat 167.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 102.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 516.0mg	0%
Sodium 3043.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 256.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.4g	0%
Total Sugars 45.4g
Protein 134.0g	0%

Vitamin D 382.8IU	0%
Calcium 2960.7mg	0%
Iron 12.8mg	0%
Potassium 1488.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.1%

Protein: 17.4%

Carbs: 33.4%