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Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese is 5-Ingredient Creamy Ultimate Easy.

  • Author: Myar Nasser
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Baked Mac and Cheese is a five-ingredient, creamy, ultimate comfort dish that’s perfect for weeknights or holidays. Elbow pasta swims in a silky cheese sauce, then tops with breadcrumbs for a golden, bubbly crust. Quick to assemble, deeply comforting, and crowd-pleasing, it’s ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Rich, cheesy, and perfectly satisfying in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella or Monterey Jack
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
  • Topping: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp melted butter (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
  2. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
  3. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
  4. Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking until smooth. Cook 3–5 minutes until thickened.
  5. Stir in 2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, mozzarella, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix until melted and creamy.
  6. Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to coat fully.
  7. Pour into the baking dish and top with remaining cheddar cheese.
  8. For a crunchy topping, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
  9. Bake 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Tip: Use a sharp cheddar for depth or mix cheeses for different tones.
  • If you prefer gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free roux.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use part-skim milk.
  • Leftovers refrigerate up to 3–4 days; reheat gently in oven or microwave.
  • To freeze, bake unbaked casserole and freeze; bake from frozen until hot and bubbly.
  • Season to taste; add a pinch of paprika or chili flakes for heat.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 680
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 760 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 23 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: Baked Mac and Cheese, 5-ingredient creamy mac and cheese, comforting pasta bake, easy weeknight dinner, family-friendly recipe, cheese sauce, golden crust, cheesy baked pasta

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Find it online: https://www.mealprepideas.blog/baked-mac-and-cheese-5-ingredient-creamy/