Decadent Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
This decadent creamy baked mac and cheese is a comforting dish that will delight your palate with its rich flavors and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
- 1 cup cream cheese softened
- 4 cups whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour to form a roux, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the whole milk while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5-7 minutes.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted, then mix in the garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Remove from heat and fold in the shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheese until melted and creamy.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Mix Panko breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For a crispy topping, ensure to mix the Panko breadcrumbs with melted butter before baking.