Ultimate Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ultimate Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 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 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the warmed whole milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, the gruyere cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until all the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
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)
Ultimate Baked Macaroni and Cheese
For the Macaroni
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 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 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the warmed whole milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, the gruyere cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until all the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min