Mac And Cheese Recipe
Creamy mac and cheese topped with breadcrumbs.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Breadcrumb Topping
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil the Pasta
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
- 2
Prepare the Roux
In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until bubbly.
- 3
Add Milk
Slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- 4
Incorporate Cheeses
Lower the heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 4 oz of cream cheese. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- 5
Season the Sauce
Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper to the cheese sauce, stirring to combine.
- 6
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat all noodles evenly.
Preparing the Breadcrumb Topping
- 7
Mix Breadcrumbs
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
Baking
- 8
Assemble and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
