Ultimate Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese: 3 Secrets to Perfection
A rich and creamy baked mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour.
- Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
- Add 2 cups cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Mix sauce with cooked macaroni.
- Transfer to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese and breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes until golden.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for best melting.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Add cooked bacon for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg