Dinner Recipes Side Dish

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe | Cheesy Delight

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe - Delicious and Easy

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 Recipe - Delicious and Easy

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the ooey, gooey, and irresistibly cheesy goodness! Our Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate recipe, promising an unforgettable taste experience.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 457 kcal

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!

Notes

Feeding a hungry crowd? Double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 dish for an even more delightful experience.
Keyword Baked Mac And Cheese, Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese