Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole 🧀🍲
Classic comfort food—creamy, cheesy macaroni baked with a golden crust. Perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any pasta shape)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika (optional)
For the Topping
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Add Dairy: Slowly whisk in milk and cream. Cook until thickened.
- Add Cheese: Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Combine: Mix cheese sauce with cooked pasta. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Topping: Mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over pasta.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving warm.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes