Mac And Cheese Recipe
Creamy mac and cheese, baked to perfection.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping
Method
Cook the Pasta
- 1
Boil the Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- 2
Make a Roux
In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until bubbly.
- 3
Add Milk
Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
- 4
Incorporate Cheeses
Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 4 oz of softened cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy.
Combine and Bake
- 5
Mix with Pasta
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
- 6
Prepare Topping
In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of paprika.
- 7
Assemble and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the macaroni. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Serve
- 8
Enjoy
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy mac and cheese!
