Description
Creamy, cheesy, and golden on top, this Classic Baked Mac and Cheese is a comforting family favorite. Perfect for cozy dinners, it combines elbow macaroni with a rich cheese sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400g elbow macaroni
- 50g unsalted butter
- 50g all-purpose flour
- 800ml whole milk
- 200g sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 100g mozzarella cheese, grated
- 50g parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 100g breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and butter a medium baking dish.
- Cook macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Melt 50g butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour to form a roux.
- Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth and thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in cheeses, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Fold macaroni into the cheese sauce and pour into the baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Mix cheeses for depth of flavor. Prepare ahead up to the breadcrumb topping. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven or microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 75