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baked mac and cheese in a white casserole dish.
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Baked Mac and Cheese

Our creamy, cheesy, Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food with a decadent cheese sauce and crispy breadcrumbs on top.
Course Pasta
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 606kcal
Author Tonia Larson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni

Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tablespoon butter cubed
  • 2 tablespoon flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz Processed American cheese about 12 slices
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Seasonings (optional)

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Topping

  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoon butter melted

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the package, drain and set aside.
    pasta in a pot of boiling water.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook while stirring for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and add the salt.
    a hand uses a whisk to stir the roux ingredients.
  • Whisk in seasonings if desired. We used garlic powder, ground mustard, black pepper, and onion powder.
    a whisk stirring seasoning into a pot of milk.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often.
    cheese mixture simmers in a pot.
  • Add the processed American cheese and stir until melted.
    cheese slices, milk and spices in a pot
  • Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
    a hand uses a rubber spoon to stir the mac a cheese ingredients
  • Add the cooked elbow macaroni and stir to coat. Spread in a greased 11x7-inch (2.5-quart) casserole dish.
    a hand stirring the noodles and cheese in a pot.
  • Mix together the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
    a hand adding breadcrumbs to the cheese and noodles in a dish before baking.
  • Bake at 350˚F for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
    a baked macaroni and cheese casserole in a dish

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to five days or in the freezer for one to two months. Thaw frozen macaroni and cheese in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the microwave or oven. You can add a little additional milk if necessary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of dish | Calories: 606kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 1411mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1166IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 833mg | Iron: 1mg
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