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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Made from Scratch Easy Homemade Recipe

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A rich, comforting, and cheesy baked mac and cheese made from scratch with a velvety cheese sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons (about 60 g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 200 g)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 100 g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup (about 100 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons (45 g) of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes without browning.
  3. Slowly pour in 3 cups (720 ml) warmed whole milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 6-8 minutes.
  4. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional smoked paprika or cayenne.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, toss the drained macaroni with the cheese sauce until fully coated.
  6. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 g) butter and mix with 1 cup panko breadcrumbs.
  7. Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into a greased 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs on top.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  9. Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Keep an eye on breadcrumbs during baking; tent with foil if browning too fast. If sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a splash of milk to loosen. Use fresh grated cheese for best melting and flavor. Slightly undercook pasta as it finishes cooking in the oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, easy dinner

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-made-from-scratch-easy-homemade-recipe/