The most decadent mac and cheese baked with crispy buttery panko bread crumbs for the ultimate mac and cheese.
Comfort Food is always a hit at our house. This bake homemade Mac and cheese is all the things: cheesy, creamy, crunchy, warm comfort. If you’ve never made mac and cheese from scratch, you must! It’s pretty straightforward, and the taste is beyond better. You can make it a day ahead if needed, and just bake it the next day. Plus it freezes great too, so make two and freeze one for an easy freezer meal you know your family will love!
Ingredients for BAKED Mac and Cheese:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
FOR THE TOPPING: - 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 4 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
How to make Baked Mac and Cheese:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside.
- Combine the grated cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the pasta until al dente (a little under cooked). Drain the macaroni pasta, and move it to a large bowl. Drizzle the cooked pasta with olive oil and toss to coat. Set pasta aside to cool while you make the cheese sauce.
- Make the cheese sauce:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan.
- Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for about 1 minute until the butter flour makes a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until mixture is smooth.
- Continue whisking for another 2 minutes. Add in the salt and pepper.
- Add in half of the grated cheese and whisk until smooth. Add the other half of the grated cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be thick.
- Stir in the cooked pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with any remaining grated cheese and then add the remaining mac and cheese.
For the mac and cheese topping: - In a small bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, melted butter and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this mixture over the top and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm.
What is Panko breadcrumbs?
Panko bread crumbs are a Japanese-style breadcrumb made from white bread with no crusts. When baked it is lighter and crispier than regular bread crumbs, because it tends to absorb less grease and stay crispier for longer than traditional breadcrumbs. It’s really easy to find in most stores these days too.
MORE recipes using Panko Bread Crumbs:
- Baked Mac and Cheese (you are here)
- Baked Parmesan Chicken Strips
- Buffalo Chicken Bites
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Baked Mac and Cheese
The most decadent baked mac and cheese with a delicious crunchy golden topping.
Ingredients
- 16oz. elbow macaroni cooked to al dente
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 4 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350. Butter a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside.
-
Combine the grated cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
-
Cook the pasta until al dente (a little under cooked). Drain the macaroni pasta, and move it to a large bowl. Drizzle the cooked pasta with olive oil and toss to coat. Set pasta aside to cool while you make the cheese sauce.
To Make the Cheese Sauce:
-
Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan.
-
Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for about 1 minute until the butter and flour makes a roux.
-
Gradually whisk in the milk until mixture is smooth.
-
Continue whisking for another few minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
-
Add in half of the grated cheese and whisk until smooth. Add the other half of the grated cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce will be thick.
-
Stir in the cooked pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce. Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Add in remaining grated cheese and then add the remaining mac and cheese.
For the Mac and Cheese Topping:
-
In a small bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, melted butter and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this mixture over the top and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm.
Making This Recipe? Tag us on Instagram: @NoBiggie using the hashtag #NoBiggieRecipes, so we can see what you are making in the kitchen!
What’s your ultimate comfort food?
