Description
Macaroni and cheese casserole brings comfort straight from your kitchen to the dinner table. Cheesy, rich layers combine with crispy breadcrumb topping for a classic dish that delivers pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 350F and position the rack in the center.
- Boil 2 cups elbow macaroni in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain completely.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it’s fully liquefied and bubbling slightly.
- Whisk ¼ cup flour into the melted butter, creating a smooth paste that will help thicken your sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder into the butter mixture.
- Slowly pour 2 cups milk into the pan, continuously stirring to prevent lumps from forming.
- Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of your spoon.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every noodle gets coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese and ½ cup breadcrumbs evenly across the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges are bubbling.
Notes
- Choose a sharp cheddar for deeper flavor, and experiment with cheese blends like Gruyère or smoked gouda to add complexity to your mac and cheese.
- Avoid overcooking the pasta during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, which can lead to mushy texture.
- Create a crispy topping by mixing breadcrumbs with melted butter and a sprinkle of parmesan before spreading over the casserole.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg