Classic Creamy Mac and Cheese
Silky, homemade mac and cheese with a rich three-cheese sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping. A comforting American classic that's ready in under 30 minutes.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 745
- Protein
- 32g
Ingredients
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Open the appInstructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until 1 minute shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
Toss panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and set aside for topping.
Step 3
Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Step 4
Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5
Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, gruyère, and parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth.
Step 6
Season with dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 7
Combine cooked pasta with cheese sauce in the saucepan, tossing until evenly coated.
Step 8
Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread panko topping evenly over the pasta.
Step 9
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown. Let rest 2 minutes before serving.
Tools you’ll need
- large pot
- colander
- large saucepan
- whisk
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- wooden spoon
- grater
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