Description
Creamy, cheesy, and topped with a golden crunch, The Only Mac and Cheese is your go-to comfort dish that’s as satisfying as it is simple to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Elbow Macaroni
- 6 tablespoons Butter
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 3 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère Cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Melted Butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Let simmer until thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and mustard powder.
- Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheddar and Gruyère until melted.
- Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta. Stir to coat evenly.
- Pour into baking dish. Toss breadcrumbs with olive oil and sprinkle on top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese for best melt.
- Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers.
- Customize with spices, herbs, or veggie mix-ins.
- Broil for 1–2 minutes for an extra crispy top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, comfort food, cheese pasta, easy mac and cheese