Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly delicious, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
Cheese Mixture:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large pot, melt butter, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk and seasonings. Stir in cheeses until smooth. Add cooked macaroni and mix well.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the baking dish. Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, sprinkle over the top, and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Let it rest before serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream to the cheese sauce.
- Use smoked cheddar for a deeper flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
