🧀 Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
🍽️ Servings: 6–8
⏱️ Time: ~45 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
Pasta:
1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce:
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Topping (optional but recommended):
1 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
2 tbsp melted butter
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente (slightly undercooked).
Drain and set aside. - Make the creamy sauce
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes (this makes a roux).
Slowly add milk and cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook until thickened (about 5 minutes). - Add cheese & seasoning
Reduce heat to low.
Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
Add salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. - Combine
Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well.
Pour into a greased baking dish. - Make topping
Mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan.
Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese. - Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.