Description
Classic mac and cheese brings comfort with creamy cheddar and sharp parmesan. Sharp cheeses and crispy breadcrumb topping deliver rich, satisfying flavors you’ll savor in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup (113 g) Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
- 1.25 cups (296 ml) heavy cream
- 0.75 cup (177 ml) milk
- 0.25 cup (57 g) unsalted butter
- 0.25 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 0.67 cup (52 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 tsp mustard powder
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.75 tsp kosher salt
- 0.25 tsp paprika powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tbsps (7.5 ml) olive oil or butter
- 0.25 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F, positioning the rack to optimize golden, crispy topping development.
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until slightly under al dente. Drain and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Sauce Foundation: In a skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour, creating a smooth, golden-brown roux. Gradually pour milk and cream, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens into a luxurious, velvety sauce.
- Flavor Infusion: Integrate mustard powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper into the sauce. Gradually blend sharp cheddar and Gruyère until a smooth, rich cheese sauce emerges.
- Combining Elements: Thoroughly fold the cheese sauce into the prepared macaroni, ensuring each pasta piece is completely coated with the creamy mixture.
- Topping and Baking: Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish. Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and salt, then sprinkle evenly across the surface. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then briefly broil to achieve a perfectly bronzed, crispy crust.
Notes
- Pasta Precision: Cook macaroni slightly under recommended time to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring a perfectly textured final dish.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Grate cheeses fresh for smoother melting and richer flavor, avoiding pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.
- Sauce Stability: Whisk roux continuously to prevent burning and create a smooth base, which is crucial for a creamy, lump-free cheese sauce.
- Topping Technique: Watch broiler carefully during final minutes to achieve golden-brown crust without burning, creating that irresistible crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg