Description
This BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and comforting. Perfect for family dinners, this Easy Mac And Cheese Casserole Baked is packed with cheesy goodness and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Enjoy a delicious Oven-baked Mac And Cheese that’s both classic and irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in ¼ cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk and 1 cup heavy cream, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and mix well.
- Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over breadcrumbs.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add a little more cheese or substitute some milk with cream
- Use sharp cheddar for stronger flavor
- Let the mac and cheese rest a few minutes before serving for best results
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg