Gourmet Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese Delight

Ingredients

- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the Macaroni:
Boil 4 quarts of water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add in 12 ounces of elbow macaroni. Cook for about 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. Create a Roux:
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, whisking continuously for about 2 minutes until slightly golden, forming a roux.

4. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk to the roux, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to stir over medium heat until the sauce thickens, approximately 5–7 minutes.

5. Add Cheese:
Once thickened, remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper for seasoning.

6. Combine Macaroni and Sauce:
Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large bowl until the pasta is thoroughly coated.

7. Prepare for Baking:
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.

8. Top with Breadcrumbs:
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni mixture for a crispy topping.

9. Bake:
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

10. Serve:
Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious, homemade cheesy baked mac and cheese!

Total Time

PT55M
55 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

mac and cheese, baked macaroni, cheesy pasta, dinner recipe, comfort food, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, homemade mac and cheese, oven-baked mac and cheese, family dinner

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 1850

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