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–+ servings
Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese

This Baked Mac and Cheese features a creamy cheese sauce and a crunchy topping, making it the perfect dish for gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course side
Cuisine Western
Servings 8 people
Calories 551 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large saucepan or ovenproof skillet
  • Whisk
  • Baking dish

Ingredients
  

Macaroni

  • 250 g macaroni (elbow pasta)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or 2 teaspoon oil

Topping

  • ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs Note 1
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup flour plain / all purpose
  • 3 cups milk warmed (low or full fat)
  • 2 cups freshly shredded cheese gruyere best (followed by cheddar and Colby)
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese or more of other cheese of choice
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

Seasonings (optional)

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder

Instructions
 

Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add macaroni and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute.
  • Drain, return pasta to pot, add butter and toss until melted. Set aside to cool while making the Sauce.

Topping

  • Mix together Topping. Set aside.

Sauce

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types).
  • In a large saucepan or in an ovenproof skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  • Add about 1 cup of the milk and mix to dissolve the paste into the milk. Then add remaining milk and mix until lump free.
  • Mix in salt and Seasonings if using.
  • Cook, stirring/whisking regularly, for 5 - 8 minutes until thickened to a cream consistency.
  • Remove from stove, add cheese and stir - cheese doesn't need to melt.
  • Adjust salt to taste.

Assembling

  • Pour Sauce into pot with Macaroni. Stir quickly, then pour back into the skillet or a baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumb topping.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until top is light golden.
  • Serve immediately!

Notes

Grate your own cheese for the best texture. Can make ahead by cooking pasta and preparing sauce before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 551kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 23gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 847mgPotassium: 326mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 915IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 449mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword Baked Mac and Cheese, BEST Mac and Cheese, Mac and cheese recipe, Macaroni and Cheese
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