Ultimate Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe: Cheesy, Comforting, and Irresistible
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ultimate Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese recipe. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or a cozy night in, this dish combines creamy, cheesy goodness with a crispy, golden topping. Follow this easy-to-follow guide to create a mac and cheese that’s rich, flavorful, and utterly irresistible.
Ingredients
- °16 ounces cooked elbow pasta (or other tubular pasta)
- °1 tbsp olive oil
- °6 tbsp butter
- °1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- °3 cups full-fat milk
- °1 cup heavy whipping cream
- °4 cups sharp grated cheddar cheese
- °2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
- °Salt and pepper to taste
- °1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- °4 tbsp melted butter
- °1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- °1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (or plain paprika)
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a large 3-quart or 4-quart baking dish and set aside. Combine the grated cheddar and Gruyère cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions. Drain, transfer to a bowl, and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat the pasta and set aside to cool while preparing the cheese sauce.
In a deep saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly and golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Continue whisking until bubbles appear on the surface, then cook for an additional 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add 4 cups of the grated cheese mixture, 2 cups at a time, whisking until smooth and creamy after each addition.
Combine the cooled pasta with the cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is fully coated. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 2 cups of grated cheese, then add the remaining pasta and cheese.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Serve immediately and enjoy this decadent, cheesy masterpiece!
