Print

Irresistible Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Panko Crust

baked mac and cheese - featured image
Print Recipe

This baked mac and cheese recipe combines creamy cheese sauce with a golden, crispy panko crust for the ultimate comfort food experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard
  • Pinch of smoked paprika
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of elbow macaroni and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and whisk until smooth, cooking for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  4. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened (about 5-7 minutes).
  5. Stir in 2 cups of sharp cheddar, 1 cup of Gruyère, and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp ground mustard, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  6. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and mix until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  7. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp of melted butter or olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
  8. Bake the mac and cheese for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. For extra crunch, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.

Notes

[‘Use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting.’, “Don’t overcook the pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven.”, ‘Sprinkle extra cheese between layers of pasta and sauce for added cheesiness.’, ‘Add grated parmesan or Italian seasoning to the panko for extra flavor.’, ‘If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it before mixing with the pasta.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, comfort food, panko crust, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, kid-friendly recipe

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/irresistible-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-with-panko-crust/