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Crispy Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese

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A comforting baked mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping and creamy cheesy middle, perfect for cozy nights and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until light golden and nutty.
  3. Gradually pour in warmed whole milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer and cook until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until melted. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour drained macaroni into cheese sauce and fold gently to coat evenly.
  6. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan and melted butter. Toss to coat evenly.
  7. Transfer cheesy pasta to an oven-safe baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the top.
  8. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown and crispy.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Warm the milk before adding to the roux to avoid lumps. Shred cheese fresh for better melting. Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter for a crispy topping. Tent with foil if topping browns too fast. Do not overcook pasta before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, crispy mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/crispy-ultimate-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-comfort-food-for-cozy-nights/