Print

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Delight!

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is a comforting dish that combines elbow macaroni with a rich cheese sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Gradually add the whole milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Remove the saucepan from heat and add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
  7. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat all the pasta.
  8. Pour the mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  9. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
  11. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a smoky flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
  • To make it a complete meal, mix in cooked bacon, diced ham, or steamed broccoli before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bitebounty.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/