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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

A rich and creamy baked macaroni and cheese dish, perfect for comfort food lovers.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tbsp Butter Unsalted
  • 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
  • 3 cups Milk Whole milk preferred
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese Shredded
  • 1 tsp Mustard Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Topping
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Panko recommended
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese Grated
  • 2 tbsp Butter Melted

Method
 

Prepare Pasta
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until bubbly.
  2. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth. Add mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
Combine and Bake
  1. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
  2. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the mixture over the macaroni and cheese.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.

Notes

For added flavor, consider mixing in cooked bacon or vegetables like broccoli.