Description
A rich and indulgent creamy baked mac cheese featuring a perfect blend of sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, topped with golden panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces Elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup shredded Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Mustard powder
- Salt and pepper To taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook elbow macaroni until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Add Milk Gradually: Slowly add milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Gruyère until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and mustard powder.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until every piece is well coated and creamy.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and top evenly with panko breadcrumbs for golden crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly around edges and golden brown on top.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting and creamier texture
- Cook pasta one minute less than package directions since it continues cooking in the oven
- Warm your milk slightly before adding to the roux to prevent the sauce from seizing
- Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to set properly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485 calories
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: creamy baked mac cheese, homemade mac and cheese, comfort food, cheese sauce, baked pasta, family dinner