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Crispy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe Easy Golden Breadcrumb Crust

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A comforting baked mac and cheese with a crunchy golden breadcrumb crust and a creamy, cheesy interior. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (3 tablespoons for cheese sauce, 1 tablespoon for breadcrumb topping)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed slightly
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 12 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (about 100 grams), panko or regular
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook for 7 to 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture bubbles but doesn’t brown.
  3. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of warm whole milk, a little at a time, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and optional 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until cheese melts smoothly.
  5. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and fold gently until all pasta is coated evenly.
  6. In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add 1 cup plain or panko breadcrumbs and stir frequently until golden brown and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  7. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over the top.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the breadcrumb crust is golden and crispy and the cheese sauce bubbles around the edges.
  9. Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Toast breadcrumbs in butter before topping to ensure a crispy crust. Warm milk before adding to roux to avoid lumps. Add cheese off heat to prevent graininess. Cover loosely with foil if crust browns too fast. Let rest 5 minutes before serving for sauce to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, crispy breadcrumb crust, comfort food, cheesy pasta, easy dinner

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/crispy-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-golden-breadcrumb-crust/