Description
This Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy comfort food classic with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Perfectly cooked pasta is enveloped in a rich cheddar cheese sauce and baked to golden perfection, making it an ideal dish for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups shell pasta, cooked 2 minutes less than al dente
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Topping
- 1/3 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the shell pasta according to package instructions but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes for a slightly firm texture. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes while stirring constantly to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, followed by kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Continue to cook and stir for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine ingredients: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth. Mix this cheese sauce thoroughly with the cooked pasta to evenly coat every piece.
- Bake: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into an 11×7 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top, then cover with the seasoned panko bread crumbs. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use whole milk as specified, or substitute half-and-half for a richer sauce.
- Cooking the pasta slightly under al dente prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the cheese sauce for a subtle kick.
- Allow the baked macaroni and cheese to rest 5 minutes before serving to let it set and enhance flavors.
