🧀 Baked Macaroni and Cheese (Creamy Inside, Golden on Top)
This classic comfort dish is rich, cheesy, and perfectly baked with a crispy top layer.
🛒 Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- Salt for boiling water
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (warm)
- 2½–3 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 cup mozzarella (for stretch)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- Optional: ½ tsp mustard powder
Topping
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional for extra crunch)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (if using breadcrumbs)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the cheese sauce:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes (don’t brown).
- Slowly whisk in warm milk.
- Cook until thickened (about 3–5 minutes).
- Reduce heat and stir in cheese until smooth.
- Add seasonings.
4️⃣ Combine pasta and sauce, then pour into a greased baking dish.
5️⃣ Add topping: Sprinkle extra cheese and breadcrumbs (mixed with melted butter).
6️⃣ Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
7️⃣ Rest 5–10 minutes before serving (helps it set).
🔥 Extra Creamy Tip
Reserve ½ cup cheese and stir it in just before baking for extra meltiness.
🧀 Flavor Upgrades
- Add crispy bacon
- Stir in sautéed onions
- Mix in lobster or crab
- Add jalapeños for spice
- Blend cheeses (Gruyère, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack)
If you’d like, I can give you:
- A Southern-style baked mac & cheese
- A no-roux (super simple) version
- Or a healthy/lightened-up recipe
