Cheesy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Creamy, gooey, and flavorful, this classic dish is a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni and Cheese:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Breadcrumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour, then gradually whisk in milk. Add garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, pepper, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses. Stir until melted.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated. Pour mixture into a baking dish.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: Combine breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Optional Garnish: Sprinkle paprika on top before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Mac and Cheese, Baked Macaroni, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta
