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Creamy Baked Cheddar Mac-and-Cheese

Ultimate Comfort: Creamy Baked Cheddar Mac-and-Cheese

This Creamy Baked Cheddar Mac-and-Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a luscious cheese sauce and a crispy topping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Classic Comfort Food
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Elbow macaroni the perfect shape for trapping the cheese sauce
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 4 cups Sharp cheddar cheese mix with mild cheddar for variation
  • 2 cups Whole milk can substitute with almond milk
  • 1 cup Heavy cream substitute with half-and-half if desired
  • ¼ cup Unsalted butter using salted butter can add flavor
  • ¼ cup All-purpose flour whole wheat flour can be a healthy alternative
  • 1 teaspoon Salt adjust to taste if watching sodium intake
  • ½ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper can use white pepper for a subtle touch
  • ½ teaspoon Dry mustard powder or try Dijon mustard for a gourmet twist
  • ¼ teaspoon Smoked paprika sweet paprika works in a pinch
For the Topping
  • ¼ cup Breadcrumbs panko gives extra crispiness

Equipment

  • Oven
  • large pot
  • large saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until slightly al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Gradually sprinkle in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Slowly pour in 2 cups of whole milk, whisking to prevent lumps. Add 1 cup of heavy cream and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened.
  5. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of dry mustard powder, and ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika.
  6. Gradually add 3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the mixture, stirring until melted and smooth.
  7. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until thoroughly combined.
  8. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  9. If desired, sprinkle ¼ cup of breadcrumbs on top for added crunch.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 400mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Allow the macaroni to cool slightly before serving to help the cheese sauce set. High-quality cheese results in the best flavor.

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