Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated (optional)
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms and smells slightly nutty.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Gradually whisk in the warm whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Gruyère (if using) until completely melted and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until the macaroni is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375
- 12
Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
For the Macaroni
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated (optional)
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms and smells slightly nutty.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Gradually whisk in the warm whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Gruyère (if using) until completely melted and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until the macaroni is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375 - 12
Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min