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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping (optional)
Method
Pasta Preparation
- 1
Cook the macaroni
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cheese Sauce Preparation
- 2
- 3
Add milk
Gradually whisk in 4 cups of milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Incorporate the cheese
Remove the pot from heat and stir in 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
- 5
Season the sauce
Add 1 tsp of salt, 0.5 tsp of black pepper, 1 tsp of garlic powder, and 0.5 tsp of paprika. Mix well to combine.
Combining and Baking
- 6
Combine macaroni and cheese sauce
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
- 7
Prepare topping (optional)
In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 tbsp of melted butter. This will be your topping.
- 8
Assemble and bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. If using, sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Serving
- 9
Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy macaroni and cheese!