Description
This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish featuring elbow macaroni baked with a rich cheese sauce and topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs. Perfect for a cozy family meal or a delicious side dish, it combines sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for a flavorful twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Cheese 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 salted water in a large pot, add elbow macaroni, and cook until al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste and eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the warm 2 cups whole milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Make sure the sauce is smooth with no lumps.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Remove the sauce from heat. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella or Colby Jack, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Mix the cooked elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping and Bake: Toss breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter until coated and sprinkle evenly over the macaroni mixture. Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
Notes
- Use warm milk to help the sauce thicken smoothly without lumps.
- For a crunchier topping, you can broil the breadcrumbs for the last 2 minutes of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Sharp cheddar provides a robust flavor, but feel free to use a blend of cheeses to your taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered to prevent drying out.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, easy macaroni and cheese, comfort food, cheese bake, kid-friendly dinner
