Description
A simple and delicious baked mac and cheese recipe featuring a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs for the perfect comfort food dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni and Cheese
- 8 oz. macaroni noodles (about 1 and 3/4 cups)
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp. butter, cut into pieces
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to get ready for baking the mac and cheese later.
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the macaroni noodles according to the package directions until al dente, then drain them well. Return the drained macaroni to the pot you cooked them in.
- Mix Milk and Flour: While the macaroni cooks, combine the milk and flour in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Milk Mixture: Give the milk and flour mixture one more shake, then pour it into the pot with the drained macaroni.
- Cook Sauce: Place the pot over medium heat and stir continuously as the sauce thickens and just begins to simmer. Once thickened, immediately remove the pot from heat to prevent burning.
- Add Butter and Cheese: Stir in the butter pieces and 2 cups of the shredded sharp Cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the creamy macaroni and cheese into a 2-quart baking dish. Evenly top it with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese. Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top and spray lightly with cooking spray to help with browning.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 7-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and crisp. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use whole milk or add a splash of cream.
- You can substitute sharp Cheddar with your favorite cheese like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a thicker topping crust, add more panko breadcrumbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Be careful not to overcook the sauce on the stove to avoid a grainy texture.
- The cooking spray on the breadcrumbs helps achieve a golden, crispy topping without extra butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked macaroni and cheese, easy mac and cheese, comfort food, cheddar cheese recipe, creamy mac and cheese, crispy breadcrumb topping
