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Sides & Vegetables · Soul Food

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

This baked mac and cheese is everything you want from comfort food: creamy, cheesy, and topped with a buttery, crispy crunch. It’s simple to make from scratch, and the flavor is so much better than that boxed box. With just a few everyday ingredients, you’ll get a dish that’s special enough for a holiday table yet cozy enough for a weeknight. Perfectly al dente pasta, a silky cheese sauce, and a golden crisp topping, this is the mac and cheese you’ll turn back to again and again.

Prep15 minutesCook30 minutesTotal45 minutes
ServingsAdjust ingredients automatically

Ingredients

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 3 tbsp butter, for the sauce
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted, for topping
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Gradually pour in the milk while continuing to whisk, making sure there are no lumps. Add the dry mustard and garlic powder. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Asha’s Kitchen Tips

  • Use a sharp cheddar for the best flavor, it stands up to the creamy sauce beautifully.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook in the oven. Al dente is perfect.
  • Make sure the sauce is thick enough before adding the pasta; it should coat the back of a spoon.
  • For an extra-crispy topping, broil the mac and cheese for the last 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
  • Whole milk gives the creamiest sauce, but you can use 2% with slightly less richness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm as a hearty side dish alongside roasted chicken or a crisp green salad. It also works beautifully as a vegetarian main for a cozy dinner.