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+ servings

Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy, ooey-gooey baked mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping. A holiday-worthy comfort food classic made from scratch.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon salt plus 1 teaspoon for salting the pasta water
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 10 oz gruyere cheese freshly grated
  • 10 oz sharp cheddar freshly grated, plus more for the top layer
  • cup parmesan
  • 1 cup bread crumbs

Method
 

  1. Add pasta to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook according to package instructions and drain when al dente. The pasta should be ready just before your sauce.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the milk and cream in a pot, making sure not to allow it to come to a boil.
  3. Melt 7 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large pot. Add the flour and whisk while it cooks on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Add the hot milk and cream while whisking and cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and mix in the gruyere, cheddar, parmesan, salt, nutmeg, paprika, and pepper.
  6. Melt one or two tablespoons of butter in a pan and mix with the breadcrumbs. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the breadcrumbs are a light golden color. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then mix in about three tablespoons of shredded parmesan.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well. Transfer to a baking dish and top with more cheddar, parmesan, and the toasted breadcrumb mixture.
  8. Bake at 375°F for about 35 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Notes

Pro Tips:
  • Freshly grate your cheese — pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
  • Don't overcook the pasta — cook it al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
  • Use a mix of cheeses — gruyere adds nuttiness, sharp cheddar adds tang, and parmesan adds depth.

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