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jhessica

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese: Your Ultimate Comfort Food!

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a rich and cheesy sauce combined with tender elbow macaroni, topped with a crispy breadcrumb layer.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  4. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
  7. Remove the saucepan from heat and add the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
  8. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat.
  9. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  10. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the olive oil and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
  12. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

Notes

  • For a creamier texture, you can add an extra half cup of milk to the cheese sauce.
  • To customize the flavor, try adding cooked bacon or sautéed vegetables like spinach or broccoli before baking.

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