Description
This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is a creamy, cheesy comfort food classic made with sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses baked to golden perfection with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
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. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly 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 to 2 minutes to form a roux, which will help thicken your cheese sauce.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the warm whole milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Season: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella (or Colby Jack) cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Then add salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until all the pasta is evenly coated. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare and Add Topping: In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the buttery breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese sauce to set slightly.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter version, but it may be less creamy.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta, flour, and breadcrumbs.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika or mustard powder to the cheese sauce for extra flavor.
- If you prefer, mix in cooked bacon or sautéed vegetables before baking for added texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, family dinner, macaroni and cheese casserole
