Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping finished dish
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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping

Make Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping, an American dinner recipe with Elbow Macaroni, Unsalted Butter, All-Purpose Flour. It has about 50 min, about 480 calories per serving. Get ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutrition estimates, FAQs, and Recipe Genius app tools.

AmericanDinner50 min8 servings480 cal/serving
vegetariancomfort foodcheesyfamily friendlybakedamericandinnerelbow macaroni

Quick answer

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping is an American dinner recipe that takes about 50 min, makes 8 servings, has about 480 calories per serving. Use the ingredients and steps below, or open it in Recipe Genius for guided Cook Mode, timers, serving changes, and a shopping list.

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping ingredients

  • 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
  • 0.5 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter
  • 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 5 cups, warmed Whole Milk
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 0.25 tsp, grated Nutmeg
  • 1 tsp, or to taste Kosher Salt
  • 0.5 tsp, or to taste Black Pepper
  • 4 cups, freshly grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 2 cups, freshly grated (or Gruyère Cheese
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp, melted Unsalted Butter
  • 0.5 tsp Paprika

How to make Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Do not rinse.
  3. Prepare the cheese sauce (roux-based béchamel): In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
  4. Gradually whisk in the warm milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat. Stir in Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  6. Add the grated cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
  7. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. Prepare the Panko topping: In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  10. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping FAQ

How do I make Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping?

Make Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping by gathering the ingredients below, following the step-by-step instructions, and checking that everything is cooked safely before serving.

What ingredients are in Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping?

The main ingredients include Elbow Macaroni, Unsalted Butter, All-Purpose Flour, Whole Milk, Dijon Mustard. The full ingredient list is included on this page.

How long does Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping take?

This recipe takes about 50 min, depending on prep speed and kitchen equipment.

How many calories are in Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping?

Recipe Genius estimates about 480 calories per serving. Nutrition is estimated, so use your own labels when precision matters.

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