Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy Mac and Cheese recipe that combines soft elbow macaroni with a rich cheddar cheese sauce, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is loved by kids and adults alike, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or cozy nights in. Ready in just 40 minutes, you can easily customize it by adding your favorite ingredients like bacon or vegetables, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor. Get ready to savor the nostalgia of this classic dish that never goes out of style!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (7-8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add milk while whisking constantly until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with panko breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 511
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 735mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 69mg