Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, this Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Featuring a luscious, velvety sauce made from sharp cheddar and nutty gruyère, this recipe elevates traditional mac and cheese with a golden, crunchy topping of panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, and a hint of olive oil. Perfectly baked to achieve a bubbly, crisp-crusted finish, it delivers the ideal balance of creamy and crunchy in every bite. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a bake time of under 30 minutes, this homemade mac and cheese is a quick and easy dinner or side dish that feels like a hug on a plate. Whether you're planning a cozy family meal or wowing guests at a potluck, this decadent classic is guaranteed to impress.
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Ingredients
- 450 grams elbow macaroni
- 60 grams unsalted butter
- 30 grams all-purpose flour
- 700 milliliters whole milk
- 240 milliliters heavy cream
- 300 grams cheddar cheese, shredded
- 150 grams gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 100 grams panko breadcrumbs
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the elbow macaroni. Cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Usually, this takes about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour, stirring continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.
Step 4
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to low and add the cheddar and gruyère cheeses. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Step 6
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until all the pasta is evenly coated.
Step 7
Transfer the cheesy macaroni mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Mix well until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
Step 9
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.
Step 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
Step 11
Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (2124.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 6048.0 |
| Total Fat 340.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 194.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g | |
| Cholesterol 991.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 7252.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 493.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 21.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 58.1g | |
| Protein 243.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 414.1IU | 0% |
| Calcium 5088.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 25.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1596.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories