The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy delight that will satisfy your comfort food cravings.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course main dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 642 kcal
Large pot
Deep saucepan
baking dish
Pasta and Oil
- 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked (or other tubular pasta)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Cheese Sauce
- 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 ½ cups panko crumbs
- 4 tablespoon butter, melted
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside. Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions. Remove from heat, drain, and place in a large bowl.
Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat pasta. Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce.
Cheese Sauce
Melt butter in a deep saucepan, dutch oven, or stock pot.
Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden.
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes. Whisk in salt and pepper.
Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another two cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be nice and thick.
Stir in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese.
Baking
In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 642kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 26gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 550mgPotassium: 256mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1325IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 650mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword Baked Mac and Cheese, cheesy pasta, Comfort Food, Homemade Mac and Cheese, Mac and Cheese