Baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for a cozy night in or a family gathering. In Allorecipes post, we’ll go over how to make a delicious and creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes until smooth and bubbly.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add 3 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the pot and stir to combine.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese with the Panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake the macaroni and cheese in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips:
- For a spicier mac and cheese, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Use a mixture of different cheeses, such as Gouda or Swiss, to add more depth of flavor.
- Experiment with different toppings, such as bacon or diced tomatoes, to customize your mac and cheese.
- Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
In conclusion, baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make and always hits the spot. With this recipe, you’ll be able to create a creamy and flavorful mac and cheese that’s perfect for any occasion. So why not indulge in the ultimate comfort food and make some baked mac and cheese tonight?
