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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a golden-brown baked mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
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A classic oven-baked macaroni and cheese with a rich, homemade cheese sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping. This recipe delivers pure comfort and nostalgia.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  6. Add the shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheeses to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Do not return to high heat, as this can make the cheese grainy.
  7. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.
  8. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  9. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
  11. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which can contain anti-caking agents.
  • If you don’t have Gruyère, you can substitute with more cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese/