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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is a comforting dish with rich flavors and gooey cheese, perfect for a crowd.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 457 kcal

Equipment

  • Pot
  • colander
  • Skillet
  • Oven
  • Serving Pan

Ingredients
  

For the topping

  • 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • ⅔ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • pinch cayenne pepper

For the macaroni

  • 10 ounces elbow macaroni pasta or cavatappi
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the sauce

  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 brick (10-ounce) cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups thickly shredded cheddar cheese)
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

Garnish

  • Minced parsley or chives optional

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven and prepare the pan by preheating it to 350°F. Butter an 8 x 8 pan and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add panko, Parmesan, salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium high heat. Add the macaroni and salt. Cook until the pasta is firm-tender or al dente.
  • Drain the pasta into a colander. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the same pot you boiled the pasta in. Stir to coat the drained pasta with the butter.
  • In a large, high sided skillet set over medium heat, add the cream cheese, 1 cup of milk, and all of the spices. Whisk until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Whisk the remaining 1 ½ cups of milk into the sauce. Add the cheddar cheese one cup at a time, whisking continuously.
  • Once the sauce is thick and homogeneous, add the pasta and stir to coat. Transfer the mixture to the buttered pan and smooth the top.
  • Sprinkle the panko mixture over the top of the mac and cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling.

Notes

Feel free to double this recipe for larger servings and bake it in a 9x13 dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 457kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 18gFat: 25g
Keyword Cheddar Cheese, Comfort Food, Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Creamy Pastas, kid-friendly, Vegetarian Dinners
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