Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Golden Breadcrumbs

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Golden Breadcrumbs ingredients

• 1 lb Elbow macaroni
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 4 cups Whole milk, warmed
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 4 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 2 cups Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
• 4 oz Cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 0.5 tsp Hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco)
• 1.5 tsp Kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
• 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika

How to make Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Golden Breadcrumbs

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 1 lb elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until just al dente (firm to the bite), typically 6-7 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 0.5 cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 0.5 cup all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes to create a light roux, ensuring no raw flour taste.
4. Gradually whisk in 4 cups warmed whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream into the roux. Continue whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes. Ensure there are no lumps.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese, and 4 oz softened cream cheese. Stir vigorously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Stir in 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 0.5 tsp hot sauce, 1.5 tsp kosher salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, remembering the sauce needs to be well-seasoned to flavor the pasta.
7. Add the drained cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly until all the macaroni is evenly coated with the rich cheese sauce.
8. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
9. In a small bowl, combine 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 0.5 tsp smoked paprika. Toss until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
10. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
11. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
12. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it creamier and easier to scoop.

More recipes you might like

Browse related collections