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The Ultimate Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Golden Panko Topping

A spoonful of creamy baked mac and cheese recipe being lifted from a white casserole dish, showing a golden brown, crispy topping.
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Make the best homemade mac and cheese with this recipe. It delivers ultra creamy, cheesy pasta with a perfectly golden, crispy topping, ideal for a comforting family dinner or holiday side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 4 cups (about 16 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (about 4 ounces) Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
  4. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and paprika.
  6. Add the shredded cheddar, Gruyere, and cubed cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and gooey. This creates your creamy cheesy pasta bake base.
  7. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until the pasta is fully coated.
  8. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  9. In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the buttered panko evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
  11. Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For the best texture, shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce less smooth.
  • If you prefer a Southern style baked mac and cheese, you can substitute some of the milk with evaporated milk for extra richness.
  • To make this an easy oven mac and cheese, you can assemble the entire dish ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the fridge.

Nutrition

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