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Creamy Mac & Cheese Recipe Easy Homemade with Crispy Golden Crust

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A quick and easy creamy mac & cheese with a crispy golden crust that balances a velvety cheese sauce and crunchy topping, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside. (Tip: Toss pasta with a teaspoon of olive oil after draining to prevent sticking.)
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells nutty but hasn’t browned.
  3. Slowly pour in 3 cups warmed whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 5-7 minutes, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Add a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and gently fold until evenly coated.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
  8. Pour the mac & cheese mixture into the baking dish. Evenly sprinkle 1 cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  10. Let the mac & cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta just shy of al dente to avoid mushiness after baking. Whisk constantly when making béchamel sauce to prevent lumps. Use freshly grated cheese for best melt and flavor. Broil topping for last 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness but watch closely to avoid burning. Rest mac & cheese before serving to thicken sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, crispy crust, comfort food, easy dinner, homemade mac and cheese

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/creamy-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-homemade-with-crispy-golden-crust/