Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy and cheesy Mac and Cheese Casserole, a perfect dish for cozy family dinners. This recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, homemade cheese sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping for a delightful texture contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or mozzarella
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Topping:
- â…“ cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 2-quart baking dish.
- Cook Macaroni: Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, gradually add milk, then stir in cheeses, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Combine and Bake: Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce, transfer to baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt.
- For extra crunch, toast breadcrumbs in butter before topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Stovetop + Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
