Baked Mac and Cheese

Name: Baked Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 4 tbsp unsalted butter, for sauce; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3 cups whole milk; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated; 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated; 1 tsp dry mustard powder; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for topping; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1/2 tsp paprika

Creamy, cheesy macaroni baked to perfection with a golden, crispy top. This classic comfort food features a rich cheese sauce and is finished with a crunchy breadcrumb topping.

50 minMediumServes 6450 cal/serving

AmericanDinnerOvenVegetarianPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 lb elbow macaroni
4 tbsp unsalted butter, for sauce
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
1 tsp dry mustard powder
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for topping
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 tsp paprika

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 1 lb elbow macaroni and cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
3

In a large saucepan, melt the 4 tbsp for sauce unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until smooth and bubbling slightly, but not browning.
4

Gradually whisk in the 3 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
5

Remove from heat and stir in the 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth. Add the 1 tsp dry mustard powder, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir until well combined.
6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
7

In a small bowl, combine the 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp paprika, and melted 2 tbsp melted, for topping unsalted butter. Mix well until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated with butter.
8

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
9

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
10

Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.

Questions

Can I make Baked Mac and Cheese dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (4 tbsp unsalted butter, for sauce, 3 cups whole milk, 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated, 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for topping, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free dinner collection instead.

Can I make Baked Mac and Cheese gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb elbow macaroni, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works); the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Baked Mac and Cheese keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Baked Mac and Cheese?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans side
Classic Chicken Salad salad
Everything Bagel Seasoning sauce
Pomegranate Blueberry Antioxidant Smoothie drink

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