Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food. This is a three-cheese baked macaroni and cheese recipe, made using gruyere, white cheddar, and parmesan cheese topped with crunchy buttery panko!
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Table of Contents
Homemade Macaroni And Cheese
The ultimate comfort food has to be macaroni and cheese. Everybody has their favorite version. I typically enjoy the stovetop velveeta type of Mac n cheese. But a super cheesy baked version like this one is also a favorite.
Perfect for holidays as a side dish that everyone will look forward to.
CHEESE OPTIONS:
Apart from the mentioned three kinds of cheese, you can also use Gouda, sharp cheddar, Monterey jack cheese, parmesan, etc.
PASTA OPTIONS:
Elbow Macaroni is the standard pasta used for Mac and cheese. But, feel free to use your favorite sturdy pasta instead.
SPICE OPTIONS:
This recipe calls for garlic powder and paprika. Your favorite complimenting spices can be added to up the flavor. If you like a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne.
CAN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE BE PREPARED AHEAD:
This recipe can be prepared ahead till step 9 then cover and refrigerated. Before baking, thaw the baking dish for at least 10 minutes and then bake for 25-30 minutes.
MAC AND CHEESE STORAGE AND REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS:
Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Use within 3 days.
To reheat, top with 2-3 tablespoons cubed butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350ºF 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS MACARONI AND CHEESE:
Crockpot Turkey Breast – Butter Herb Filet Mignon – Crockpot Baby Back Ribs – Oven Pork Roast – Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham
MORE PASTA RECIPES:
Caprese Pasta Salad – Lemon Garlic Pasta – Tuscan Shrimp Pasta – Cajun Crab Pasta
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HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 ½ cups Whole Milk
- 1 teaspoon Ground Mustard Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup White Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1 cup Gruyere Cheese grated
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese grated
- Topping:
- ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter melted
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Chopped Parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9X13 baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Cook the macaroni pasta according to the package instructions(minus 1 minute) in salted water. Once done, drain the water and set it aside.
- In a 3Qt dutch oven add butter on medium heat. Once the butter is melted, sprinkle the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour starts to change color.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until the sauce is smooth without any lumps and starts to thicken.
- Add in the spices; ground mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook for a couple of minutes until everything comes together.
- Remove the dutch oven from the heat and add in the grated cheeses; white cheddar, Gruyere, and mozzarella cheese until melted.
- To the cheesy sauce add in the cooked macaroni. Mix until the sauce is evenly coated.
- Transfer the cheesy macaroni to a rectangular baking dish (9X13) and spread evenly.
- Prepare the toppings by combining the ingredients in a small bowl; panko bread crumbs, butter, and red pepper flakes.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the baking dish and place it in the oven to bake for 18-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, garnish the baked macaroni and cheese with chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition
Welcome!
Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...
This is the best recipe for mac and chees!