CREAMY BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Dish

Few dishes capture the essence of comfort food like a bowl of Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese. With its rich, velvety sauce and perfectly baked golden crust, this classic recipe satisfies both nostalgia and modern cravings. Whether served as a main dish or a side, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. In this article, we’ll walk through the ingredients, techniques, and precise steps to create the creamiest, cheesiest baked mac and cheese you’ll ever taste.

🧀 Ingredients You’ll Need

To make a perfect creamy baked mac and cheese, you’ll need the following:

For the Pasta

1 pound (450 g) elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)

For the Cheese Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk (warm)
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)
½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional, for flavor depth)

For the Topping

1 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your macaroni and cook it 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions — it should be slightly firm (al dente).
Drain the pasta and toss it with a little butter or olive oil to prevent sticking. Set it aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.

Step 2: Make the Roux

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste. Stir continuously for about 1–2 minutes — this removes the raw flour taste and forms a base called a roux.
The roux should be light golden and smooth, not brown.