Baked Macaroni Cheese (Print)
Tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich cheese sauce topped with crunchy golden crumbs.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
08 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
11 - 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
12 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
→ Topping
13 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
15 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
16 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Boil elbow macaroni in well-salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - Gradually whisk in whole milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and smooth.
06 - Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until evenly coated.
07 - Transfer macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish.
08 - In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the macaroni.
09 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until topping is golden and mixture is bubbling. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy cheese sauce hides a velvety secret that makes every bite feel like a cozy whisper.
- The golden breadcrumb crust adds a perfect crunchy surprise that keeps me coming back.
02 -
- Don’t rush the roux—it’s the foundation that makes the sauce silky and lump-free.
- Adding the cheeses off the heat helps achieve that perfectly smooth melt without graininess.
03 -
- Use a mix of cheeses for the best melt and flavor complexity.
- Butter your breadcrumbs before topping to achieve that unbeatable golden crunch.