The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this recipe for the BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned, this dish is sure to please the whole family.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta until just underdone, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk and cream. Stir in cheese until smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the pasta with the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Assemble and bake: Layer the mac and cheese in the baking dish, top with remaining cheese, then the breadcrumb mixture. Bake until golden and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can customize the cheese blend to suit your taste preferences.
- Feel free to add cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or other mix-ins for extra flavor.
- For a crispy topping, broil the mac and cheese for the last few minutes of baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
