Ultimate Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.

2. Cook the Macaroni
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and the 12 oz of elbow macaroni. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat.
- Stir in 3 tbsp of all-purpose flour, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and golden, creating a roux. This should take about 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Season with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper, adjusting to taste.

4. Combine and Assemble
- In the same pot used to cook macaroni, combine the pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until evenly coated.
- Transfer the cheesy pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

5. Add Breadcrumb Topping
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

6. Bake the Dish
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

7. Serve and Enjoy
Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve warm. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, baked macaroni and cheese masterpiece!

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT10M
10 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT45M
45 minutes

Total Time

- PT55M
55 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Macaroni and Cheese
- Baked Pasta
- Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Comfort Food
- Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Recipe
- Family Dinner
- Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Oven-Baked
- Classic Dinner Recipe

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 2600 Calories for the entire dish

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