Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes (or follow the package directions). Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux. This helps thicken the sauce.
- Slowly pour in the milk (and heavy cream, if using), whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Dijon mustard (if using).
- Lower the heat and add the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce:
- Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat all the noodles evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Bake:
- Transfer the mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt 1 tablespoon butter and toss with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- (Optional) Top with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, baked mac and cheese!
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or any pasta shape you prefer)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 cups whole milk (or 1 ½ cups milk + ½ cup heavy cream for extra richness)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ½ tsp onion powder (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp butter (for breadcrumbs, melted)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Ingredients
- You can customize your mac and cheese with add-ins like cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or even some cooked spinach for added flavor.
- For a spicier version, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- For extra creaminess, use a combination of different cheeses like Gruyère, Gouda, or Monterey Jack.
