Description
This Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy comfort food classic with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Made with melted sharp cheddar cheese, a thick homemade cheese sauce, and baked to golden perfection, it’s a perfect dish for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 3 cups shell pasta, cooked 2 minutes less than al dente
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
Topping
- 1/3 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Boil the shell pasta according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes to ensure the pasta remains slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the salted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Continue cooking and whisking for 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine Cheese with Sauce and Pasta: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Mix this cheese sauce thoroughly with the cooked pasta, ensuring an even coating.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cheesy pasta mixture into an 11×7 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly on top, followed by the seasoned panko bread crumbs to create a crispy crust.
- Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the baked macaroni and cheese immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, use whole milk as specified, but you can substitute with 2% milk if preferred.
- To add extra flavor, consider mixing in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the cheese sauce.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with a mix of cheeses like Gruyere or Monterey Jack for variation.
- If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta, gluten-free flour, and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Let the baked macaroni and cheese rest for 5 minutes after baking for the sauce to set slightly.
