Description
Gourmet Baked Mac and Cheese with a Crunch is a rich and creamy pasta dish topped with a crispy layer for added texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and parsley, then sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- You can use different cheeses for varied flavors.
- Add cooked bacon or ham for extra protein.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Gourmet Baked Mac and Cheese, Baked Mac and Cheese, Crunchy Mac and Cheese