Mac & 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 Pasta
- 1
Boil Pasta
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- 2
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, drain the macaroni in a colander and set aside.
Making Cheese Sauce
- 3
Prepare Roux
In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and whisk together for about 1-2 minutes until golden.
- 4
Add Milk
Gradually whisk in 4 cups of milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- 5
Incorporate Cheeses
Add 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 8 oz of cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
- 6
Season the Sauce
Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Stir well to combine.
Combining and Baking
- 7
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is completely coated.
- 8
Prepare Topping
In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 9
Assemble and Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish, then top with the breadcrumb mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- 10
Serve
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy mac and cheese!