Description
Classic Baked Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish featuring elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich cheese sauce made from cheddar and Gruyère, topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until just al dente, then drain and set it aside. This ensures the pasta retains a slight firmness and doesn’t become mushy in the baking process.
- Make the Roux: In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux that will thicken the cheese sauce.
- Add Dairy: Slowly pour in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Season and Melt Cheese: Stir in 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Add the shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheese and stir until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine Pasta with Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well to coat all the pasta evenly. Transfer this mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Prepare the Topping: Mix 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish to create a crunchy, golden crust.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. For an extra crunchy topping, broil for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting quality and flavor.
- Ensure pasta is not overcooked before baking to prevent mushiness.
- Dijon mustard enhances the depth of flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Broiling time is short—watch closely to avoid burning the breadcrumbs.
- For a lighter version, you can reduce the butter and use low-fat milk, though it will affect creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, classic mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake, elbow macaroni, Gruyère, cheddar cheese
