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Creamy Oven Baked Mac and Cheese.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Angela Milnes
This creamy baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, with a rich, cheesy sauce and a golden, crispy topping. It's a crowd-pleasing dish that everyone will love!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cool Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 846 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 Oz Elbow Macaroni
  • 3 Cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded
  • 2 Cup Gruyère Cheese Shredded
  • 1 Stick Unsalted Butter Divided
  • ¼ Cup All-purpose Flour
  • 3 Cups Whole Milk
  • 1 Cup Whipping Cream
  • ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • Salt To Taste
  • Pepper To Taste
  • 1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Cheese Sauce:

  • In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in 4 tablespoons flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Gradually add milk and cream, stirring constantly, until thickened (5-7 minutes). Stir in smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Remove from heat and stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Gruyère until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Combine and Transfer:

  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

Make the Topping:

  • Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan and mix with panko breadcrumbs until coated. In a small bowl, combine the buttered breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan and sprinkle over the macaroni.

Bake:

  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling. For a crispier topping, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully.
  • Let sit for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Undercook the macaroni slightly when boiling (1-2 minutes less than al dente), as it will continue cooking in the oven. This prevents the noodles from becoming mushy.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring your milk and cream to room temperature before adding them to the roux for a smoother sauce.
Layer for Extra Cheese: For an extra cheesy bake, add a layer of shredded cheese between two layers of macaroni before topping with breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 846kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 35gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 31gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 716mgPotassium: 382mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1786IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 869mgIron: 2mg
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