Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (Cheesy & Creamy) Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this delicious Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. It’s cheesy, creamy, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Macaroni:
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the Topping:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Add the cheeses: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine and bake: Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, then pour into the baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and panko breadcrumbs. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Baked Mac and Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta