Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese (Printable Version)

Tender pasta coated in rich cheddar sauce, topped with crispy buttered breadcrumbs for the ultimate comfort food experience.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk, warmed
05 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - ½ cup Gruyère or mozzarella cheese, grated
07 - ½ tsp mustard powder
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp salt

→ Topping

10 - ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
12 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F if preparing baked version.
02 - Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook macaroni until al dente, 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tbsp butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until smooth roux forms without browning.
04 - Gradually whisk warm milk into roux until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and bubbles, 3-4 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar and Gruyère until melted and smooth. Add mustard powder, black pepper, and salt.
06 - Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce. Stir until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan in small bowl.
08 - Transfer macaroni and cheese to lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle topping evenly over surface. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade cheese sauce is impossibly creamy and coats every single piece of pasta
  • You can customize it endlessly with different cheeses and toppings
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
  • Always grate your own cheese because pre-shredded varieties are coated in anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Temper your milk slightly or the sauce can seize up into tiny, frustrating lumps that are hard to fix
  • Undercook your pasta by a few minutes since it absorbs liquid and continues cooking in the sauce
03 -
  • Warm your milk slightly in the microwave before adding it to the roux for the smoothest results
  • Grate the cheese on the large holes of your box grater for faster, more even melting
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