The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Macaroni
This Ultimate Cheesy Baked Macaroni is the epitome of comfort food, featuring a creamy, velvety cheese sauce with a crispy, golden topping. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish, perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday feasts. Indulge in the richness of homemade mac and cheese, baked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: 45–50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or rotini, shells, cavatappi)
- Salt (for pasta water)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente (1–2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and toss with oil or butter.
- Make the Cheese Sauce (Béchamel Base): In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to form a roux. Gradually add warm milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until thickened. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir in cheeses in batches until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the mac and cheese into the dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Optionally, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until golden and bubbly. For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add crumbled bacon, sautéed onions, or ground beef.
- Use a mix of cheeses like Gruyère or Fontina for richer flavors.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free pasta and flour blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/the-ultimate-cheesy-baked-macaroni/
