Baked Mac and Cheese
This classic mac and cheese is made with macaroni noodles, a creamy cheese sauce, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use any type of cheese you like, such as Gruyère, Gouda, or even a combination of different cheeses.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to the mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, chopped vegetables, or jalapeños for a bit of heat.
- For a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.