Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food featuring creamy cheese and pasta, perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 250 g macaroni (elbow pasta)
Topping
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter or 2 tsp oil
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs Note 1
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ tsp salt
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup flour (plain / all-purpose)
- 3 cups milk (warmed, low or full fat)
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheese, gruyere best followed by cheddar and Colby (Note 2)
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese or more cheese of your choice (Note 2)
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp mustard powder
Instructions
Pasta Preparation
- Boil water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Topping Preparation
- In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set aside.
Sauce Preparation
- In a large pot, melt 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook for a minute until it turns a light golden color.
- Gradually add warmed milk while whisking constantly. Cook until it thickens.
- Remove from heat and mix in cheeses, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder.
Assembly and Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with the panko mix.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs. Pairs nicely with side salad or steamed veggies. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.