Description
This easy baked mac and cheese recipe combines creamy, cheesy sauce with perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a golden, crispy finish. It’s a classic comfort food that’s simple to prepare and perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Topping
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Cook macaroni: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Make roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook the mixture for 1–2 minutes to form a roux, which will thicken your sauce.
- Add milk: Gradually whisk in 2 cups of warm whole milk to the roux, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate cheese and seasonings: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly to ensure all the pasta is coated evenly.
- Prepare topping and bake: Toss 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter to coat, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, try adding a splash of heavy cream or some cream cheese to the sauce.
- You can substitute the elbow macaroni with other pasta shapes like shells or penne.
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and flavor.
- To add a smoky flavor, mix a bit of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper into the cheese sauce.
- Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to firm up and cool slightly.
- Breadcrumbs can be replaced with crushed crackers or omit for a softer topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, macaroni recipe
