Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Easy Recipes
This rich and creamy baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups cheddar and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to combine. Pour into prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, smoked paprika, and remaining cheese.
- Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over pasta.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.