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The ultimate comfort food classic! Tender elbow macaroni is enveloped in a rich, velvety cheese sauce made from scratch, then baked with a crunchy panko topping until golden and bubbly. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
For 8 servings
Prepare Oven and Cook Pasta
Create the Cheese Sauce (Béchamel)
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The ultimate comfort food classic! Tender elbow macaroni is enveloped in a rich, velvety cheese sauce made from scratch, then baked with a crunchy panko topping until golden and bubbly. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
This american recipe takes 60 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 675.84 calories per serving with 28.28g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or side.
Combine and Assemble
Prepare Topping and Bake
Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon, shredded rotisserie chicken, or browned ground beef along with the pasta into the cheese sauce.
Add steamed broccoli florets, sautéed mushrooms and onions, or roasted butternut squash for extra nutrients and flavor.
Experiment with different melting cheeses like smoked Gouda, Fontina, Monterey Jack, or a bit of cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Add diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the cheese sauce for some heat.
Adapted versions of this recipe for specific dietary needs:
The significant amount of milk and cheese in this recipe provides calcium, a mineral that is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Carbohydrates from the pasta are the body's primary fuel source, providing the necessary energy for daily activities and brain function.
Cheese and milk contribute a good amount of protein, which is vital for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and creating enzymes and hormones.
One serving (approximately 1 cup) of this homemade mac and cheese contains about 660 calories. This can vary based on the specific brands of cheese and milk used.
Mac and cheese is a rich, indulgent comfort food that is high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. While delicious, it's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It does provide calcium and protein from the dairy components.
A grainy sauce is usually caused by one of two things: using pre-shredded cheese, which has anti-caking agents, or overheating the sauce after adding the cheese, which causes the proteins to curdle. Always shred your own cheese and add it off the heat.
Yes, you can assemble the mac and cheese (without the breadcrumb topping) up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then add the topping and bake as directed, possibly adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is classic, other short pasta shapes with ridges or holes work great for catching the cheese sauce. Try shells, cavatappi, penne, or rotini.