Description
This creamy baked mac and cheese is a pure comfort food with a gooey cheese sauce, tender macaroni, and a golden brown, crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s the perfect side dish for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 stick unsalted butter, divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain it and set it aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter. Once melted, mix in the panko breadcrumbs until they are well coated. Remove from heat.
- In a small bowl, combine the buttered panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a crispier topping, you can broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooling Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 819
- Sugar: 7.9 g
- Sodium: 1085.2 mg
- Fat: 47.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 61.9 g
- Fiber: 2.6 g
- Protein: 36.3 g
- Cholesterol: 138.1 mg