Description

This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is a classic comfort food favorite made with creamy cheddar and mozzarella cheese sauce, tender elbow macaroni, and topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a crunchy finish. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck, this recipe is straightforward, satisfying, and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2 cups elbow macaroni

Cheese Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk (warm)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 cup mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Topping

1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
Make Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux, which will thicken your cheese sauce.
Add Milk: Slowly whisk in 2 cups of warm whole milk, continuing to stir constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth, about 5 minutes.
Add Cheese and Seasonings: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder, mixing well.
Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated. Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Prepare Topping and Bake: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle this buttery breadcrumb mixture over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Notes

Use warm milk when adding to the roux to prevent lumps in the cheese sauce.
For a crispy topping, ensure the breadcrumbs are evenly coated in melted butter before sprinkling.
You can substitute mozzarella with Colby Jack for a milder taste.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
For extra richness, a pinch of mustard powder or a dash of hot sauce can be added to the cheese sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, cheesy macaroni, comfort food, creamy mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, baked pasta