Cheesy Bliss Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe
Baked Mac and Cheese is a creamy and cheesy pasta dish that is baked to perfection with a crunchy topping. It's a comforting favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup breadcrumbs preferably panko
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain.
- Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the whole milk, cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and add the shredded cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted.
- Mix the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Combine breadcrumbs with olive oil in a small bowl until moistened.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish and top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy, then garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, consider adding cooked bacon or ham to the pasta mixture.