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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes

This extra-creamy baked mac and cheese pairs a velvety three-cheese sauce with a crisp, buttery panko topping. Comforting, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for weeknights or holidays.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni or another short pasta
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter for the roux
  • 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cup whole milk room temperature if possible
  • 1.5 cup heavy cream
  • 12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 6 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded or Swiss as a substitute
  • 3 oz cream cheese, softened for extra creaminess
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt plus more for pasta water
  • 0.75 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.75 tsp dry mustard powder Dijon works in a pinch
  • 0.5 tsp paprika sweet or smoked
  • 0.125 tsp cayenne pepper optional heat
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for topping
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated for topping
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted for tossing with panko
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Boil macaroni until just shy of al dente. Drain well.
  • Stir panko with melted butter and Parmesan in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Melt 5 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour and cook, whisking, until foamy and blond, about 2 minutes.
  • Slowly pour in milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth.
  • Simmer, stirring, until thick enough to coat a spoon.
  • Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, paprika, and cayenne.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and cream cheese until silky.
  • Fold cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
  • Spread mixture into the prepared dish. Top with buttery panko.
  • Bake until bubbling and golden on top, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Rest 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Variation: Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon or a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky twist. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.