Baked Mac and Cheese is a comforting dish featuring creamy cheese sauce over al dente macaroni, topped with a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust.

Scale

250g / 8 oz macaroni (elbow pasta)

1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter (or 2 tsp oil)

2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter

melted

1/4 tsp salt

4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter

1/3 cup flour

plain / all purpose

3 cups milk

warmed

2 cups freshly shredded cheese

gruyere best

1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp mustard powder

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the warmed milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheeses until melted and smooth, then season with salt and optional spices.
Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, then pour into a greased baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix together panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and salt. Sprinkle on top of the macaroni and cheese mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Baked Mac and Cheese!

For an extra creamy texture, consider adding more cheese. You can also experiment with different cheese combinations for unique flavors.

Keywords: Baked Mac and Cheese, macaroni, cheese, comfort food, baked pasta