Creamy Baked Mac 'n' Cheese
Creamy Baked Mac 'n' Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk, warmed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
For the Topping
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the warmed milk, a little at a time, until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue to whisk and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the mac 'n' cheese.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Baked Mac 'n' Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk, warmed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
For the Topping
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the warmed milk, a little at a time, until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue to whisk and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the mac 'n' cheese.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375