Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe. Perfectly seasoned and topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping:
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk and cream, cook until thickened. Stir in seasonings and cheeses until melted.
- Combine and Bake: Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce, pour into baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until golden.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter before topping.
- Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for varied flavors.
- Enhance with cooked bacon or sautéed vegetables for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
