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Creamy Classic Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Easy Golden Crust

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A comforting and easy baked mac and cheese with a creamy cheese sauce and a crunchy golden panko breadcrumb topping. Perfect for weeknight dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (100g) Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted and bubbling, whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns a pale golden shade.
  4. Slowly pour in 3 cups (720ml) of warmed whole milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar, 1 cup (100g) Gruyère, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne if using. Stir until cheese melts completely and sauce is smooth.
  6. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and gently fold until every piece is coated. Transfer this mixture to your greased baking dish, spreading evenly.
  7. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
  8. Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
  9. Let the baked mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes to set before serving.

Notes

Warm the milk before adding to the roux to prevent lumps. Watch the baking time carefully to avoid burning the breadcrumb topping. For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free pasta, flour, and breadcrumbs. Let the dish rest 5 minutes after baking for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, classic mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, golden crust

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/creamy-classic-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-with-easy-golden-crust/