Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Classic baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and is the perfect dish for a cold winter night – or anytime, really.
Ingredients
For the macaroni:
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1-2 teaspoons salt , plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese , shredded (about 6 cups)
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
For the topping:
- ¼ cup butter , melted
- 2 cups panko style bread crumbs
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese , shredded (from the 1lb cheese above)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese , shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter large casserole dish.
- Melt butter in large saucepan. Add flour and whisk until it forms a thick paste. Add milk a little at a time while whisking continuously to form a sauce.
- Add salt, pepper, mustard, paprika and cheddar cheese (reserving ½ cup of cheese for topping) and whisk until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and add pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until well coated.
- Dump pasta and sauce into prepared casserole dish.
- For the topping, combine melted butter, bread crumbs, remaining cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese in medium bowl until mixed thoroughly. Sprinkle on top of pasta.
- Bake until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbly, about 30-35 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 612kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 838mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1093IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 562mg | Iron: 2mg