Print

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe That Steals Hearts in 40 Minutes

baked mac and cheese
Print Recipe

A creamy baked mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping, perfect for comfort food dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk (warm)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet or pot, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute until bubbly.
  3. Slowly whisk in warm milk, then heavy cream. Cook 3–5 minutes, whisking, until thick enough to coat a spoon.
  4. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan until smooth and creamy.
  6. Add cooked macaroni and stir until fully coated.
  7. Mix panko with melted butter (and parmesan if using). Sprinkle evenly over mac and cheese.
  8. Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Broil 1–2 minutes for extra crunch (watch closely).
  9. Rest 5 minutes, then scoop and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting.
  • Watch closely when broiling to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, crispy breadcrumb topping, cheddar mac and cheese, comfort food dinner, skillet baked mac and cheese

Find it online: https://mealcooked.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/