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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Crispy Golden Crust Easy and Perfect

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A creamy baked mac and cheese with a crispy golden crust that balances gooey cheese and a toasty breadcrumb topping, perfect for comforting weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons (55 grams) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 1 cup (225 grams) small-curd cottage cheese, well-drained
  • 3 cups (300 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (100 grams) Gruyère cheese, shredded (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (90 grams) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons (40 g) unsalted butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes until golden and bubbly but not browned.
  3. Gradually whisk in 3 cups (720 ml) warm whole milk, stirring constantly. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in 1 cup (225 g) drained cottage cheese, 3 cups (300 g) shredded sharp cheddar, and 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyère. Mix in 1 teaspoon mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a buttered 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  6. In a small skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 g) butter over medium heat until browned and nutty. Remove from heat and mix with 1 cup (90 g) panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta and cheese.
  8. Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
  9. Let the baked mac and cheese sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Warm the milk before adding to the roux to prevent lumps. Brown the butter for the topping to add a nutty flavor. Slightly undercook pasta to keep it firm after baking. Tent with foil if breadcrumbs brown too fast. Assemble ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours, adding extra baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, crispy crust, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-with-crispy-golden-crust-easy-and-perfect/