Description
Creamy mac and cheese elevates comfort food to gourmet heights with rich cheddar and a golden breadcrumb crust. Cheese lovers will savor each forkful of this classic dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Dairy:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 4 cups (454 grams) sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (226 grams) Gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese
Butter and Flour Components:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1/2 cups panko crumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta just shy of al dente, ensuring it remains slightly firm. Drain thoroughly and gently coat with olive oil to prevent clumping.
- Create a roux by melting butter in a large saucepan, then gradually whisk in flour until the mixture turns a light golden color and releases a nutty aroma.
- Slowly incorporate milk and cream into the roux, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth and bubbly.
- Reduce heat and gradually fold in cheeses, stirring until completely melted and the sauce becomes glossy and uniform.
- Gently fold pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Transfer half the pasta to the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with additional cheese, then layer the remaining pasta on top.
- Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, melted butter, and paprika in a small bowl, mixing until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Distribute the seasoned breadcrumb mixture evenly across the top of the pasta, creating a crunchy golden topping.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the top turns a deep golden brown and the edges become crispy and bubbling.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly underdone to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring perfect texture in the final dish.
- Select high-quality cheeses like sharp cheddar and Gruyère for deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising creamy richness.
- Try protein additions like crispy bacon, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables to customize the bake.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 672
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg