Description
This Ultimate Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is a rich and indulgent comfort food classic. Featuring a smooth, cheesy sauce made from sharp cheddar and mozzarella, blended with a creamy roux-based sauce, then baked to golden perfection with a optional crispy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or special occasion side.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping (Optional)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Add Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season Sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the thickened cream sauce and mix well.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat all the pasta evenly. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese for a crunchy topping if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a delicious crunch.
- Use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheese flavor.
- Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.
- You can add cooked bacon or sautéed vegetables for variations.
