Satisfy your carb-loving soul with this creamy baked mac and cheese. Envelop macaroni in a luxurious cheese sauce, crowned with a breadcrumb topping, and bake it to perfection. Indulgence awaits – yes, please!
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch cayenne pepper
To prepare the macaroni:
- 10 ounces elbow macaroni pasta or cavatappi
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the sauce:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 (10-ounce) brick cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups thickly shredded cheddar cheese)
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
Garnish:
- Minced parsley or chives, optional
How to Make Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese :
Directions:
1. Prepare for baking brilliance:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 x 8 pan, readying it for the culinary symphony.
2. Craft the delectable topping:
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Stir in panko, Parmesan, salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Keep it aside for the finishing touch.
3. Master the art of pasta perfection:
Heat the pot of water over medium-high heat until it reaches a boiling point. Then, add the macaroni along with a pinch of salt. Cook the pasta until it reaches that perfect texture—firm-tender, known as al dente. Typically, this takes slightly less time than indicated on the box’s instructions.
4. Free the pasta from its water embrace:
Empty the pasta into a colander to drain. Then, in the same pot, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Finally, return the drained pasta to the pan and stir it gently until it becomes coated with a delightful buttery goodness.
Take it off the heat, as we’ll come back to it later in the culinary journey.
5. Craft the creamy sauce:
To make a smooth and creamy sauce, you’ll need a large skillet with high sides. Set it on medium heat. Add cream cheese, 1 cup of milk, and all the spices. Use a spatula to break and mash the cream cheese until it softens and melts. Once the cream cheese is in small nickel-sized pieces or smaller, whisk the mixture for about 4 to 5 minutes until it becomes thick and smooth.
6. Incorporate the final touches:
Gradually whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk into the sauce. Introduce the cheddar cheese, one cup at a time, whisking consistently. Ensure each cup is fully blended before adding the next, creating a velvety symphony of flavors.
7. Merge pasta with the luscious sauce:
When the sauce thickens like heavy whipping cream and becomes uniform, introduce the pasta. Stir it in to coat, creating a delightful, soupy appearance – just as intended. Transfer this tantalizing mixture to the buttered 8×8 pan and smoothen the top. The culinary masterpiece takes shape!
8. Crown the creation and bake:
Generously sprinkle the panko mixture over the mac and cheese. Let it bask in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top gleams with golden-brown brilliance, and the cheese sauce dances around the edges with bubbly delight. Allow it to cool slightly before serving – a feast awaits!
Can’t Get Enough Mac and Cheese?!
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch cayenne pepper
For the macaroni:
- 10 ounces elbow macaroni pasta or cavatappi
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the sauce:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 10-ounce brick cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups thickly shredded cheddar cheese)
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
Garnish:
- Minced parsley or chives optional
Instructions
Prepare for baking brilliance:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 x 8 pan, readying it for the culinary symphony.
Craft the delectable topping:
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Stir in panko, Parmesan, salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Keep it aside for the finishing touch.
Master the art of pasta perfection:
- To prepare the macaroni, heat a pot of water on medium-high heat until it reaches boiling point. Then, add the macaroni along with a pinch of salt for flavor. Cook until the pasta reaches that firm-tender, al dente texture. This usually takes slightly less time than what’s suggested on the box.
Free the pasta from its water embrace:
- Empty the pasta into a colander to drain. Then, in the same pot, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Finally, return the drained pasta to the pan and stir it gently until it becomes coated with a delightful buttery goodness.
- Take it off the heat, as we’ll come back to it later in the culinary journey.
Craft the creamy sauce:
- To make a smooth and creamy sauce, you’ll need a large skillet with high sides. Set it on medium heat. Add cream cheese, 1 cup of milk, and all the spices. Use a spatula to break and mash the cream cheese until it softens and melts. Once the cream cheese is in small nickel-sized pieces or smaller, whisk the mixture for about 4 to 5 minutes until it becomes thick and smooth.
Incorporate the final touches:
- Gradually whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk into the sauce. Introduce the cheddar cheese, one cup at a time, whisking consistently. Ensure each cup is fully blended before adding the next, creating a velvety symphony of flavors.
Merge pasta with the luscious sauce:
- When the sauce thickens like heavy whipping cream and becomes uniform, introduce the pasta. Stir it in to coat, creating a delightful, soupy appearance – just as intended. Transfer this tantalizing mixture to the buttered 8×8 pan and smoothen the top. The culinary masterpiece takes shape!
Crown the creation and bake:
- Generously sprinkle the panko mixture over the mac and cheese. Let it bask in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top gleams with golden-brown brilliance, and the cheese sauce dances around the edges with bubbly delight. Allow it to cool slightly before serving – a feast awaits!
