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Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

A creamy and cheesy baked macaroni dish with a crispy topping that's comforting and easy to make from scratch.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Cheese

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked (or other tubular pasta)
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Sauce Ingredients

  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set it aside.
  • Combine all your shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Cook your pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions. Drain it and toss it in a bowl.
  • Drizzle pasta with olive oil and mix to coat. Set aside to cool.

Making the Cheese Sauce

  • In a deep saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it looks bubbly and golden.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Cook for another 2 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese, whisk until you have a smooth sauce.
  • Add the remaining 2 cups of cheese and stir until creamy and thick.

Combining and Baking

  • Stir the cooled pasta into the cheese sauce until all noodles are coated.
  • Pour half of the mac and cheese into the baking dish. Top with 2 cups of shredded cheese, and finish with the remaining mac and cheese.
  • In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serve hot.

Notes

Add crispy bacon or sautéed veggies for extra flavor. For storage, let cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat with a splash of milk.
Keyword Baked Macaroni, Cheesy Pasta, comfort food, Homemade Recipe, mac and cheese