Creamy Mac and Cheese Bake (Printable Version)

Elbow macaroni baked in a creamy cheddar sauce with a crunchy golden topping. Satisfying and festive comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 lb elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 4 cups whole milk
05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
09 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
10 - 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated

→ Topping

11 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni in a large pot of salted water until just al dente, about 1–2 minutes shy of package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously until bubbling but not browned.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk. Add Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Continue whisking until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 6–7 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until fully melted and smooth.
06 - Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, mixing gently until noodles are fully coated.
07 - Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
08 - In a mixing bowl, combine panko, melted butter, grated Parmesan, and paprika. Toss until evenly moistened.
09 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over macaroni. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before dishing out.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce is so velvety, you'll find yourself sneaking a spoonful before the macaroni even hits the dish.
  • The crunchy golden topping transforms simple pasta into a festive centerpiece you'll want at every gathering.
02 -
  • Once, I tried pouring sauce over cold pasta and ended up with a gluey mess—warm pasta blends far better.
  • Grating your own cheese, instead of using pre-shredded, melts more smoothly and avoids clumps.
03 -
  • Avoid over-baking—check at the 30-minute mark for bubbling and golden crust.
  • Extra butter in the topping ensures every bite is crisp and never dry.
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