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Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

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This creamy baked macaroni and cheese casserole features a luscious cheese sauce and a crispy panko topping, making it the ultimate comfort food for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions. It’s easy to customize and comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni (about 4 cups dry)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated (or Swiss cheese)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente (about 6-7 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until bubbly but not browned.
  4. Gradually pour in whole milk and evaporated milk, whisking until smooth. Cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Lower heat and add cheddar, Gruyère, and cream cheese. Stir until melted and silky. Season with salt, pepper, ground mustard, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Pour drained macaroni into the cheese sauce and mix gently until creamy but not soupy.
  7. Spoon the pasta-cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. (Optional: Sprinkle another 1/2 cup cheddar on top.)
  8. In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan, and parsley. Mix until crumbs are coated.
  9. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. (If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.)
  11. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated cheese. Don’t overcook the pasta; it will finish in the oven. If the sauce thickens too much, whisk in a splash of milk. For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end. Make ahead by assembling without topping, refrigerate, then add topping and bake. Gluten-free and vegan adaptations are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni and cheese, baked casserole, comfort food, creamy mac and cheese, crispy topping, family dinner, potluck, easy recipe

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/creamy-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-casserole-recipe-easy-crispy-topping/