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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with a wooden spoon

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Panko Crumb Topping

Ultra creamy, rich baked mac and cheese with a crispy Panko crumb topping.
4.5 from 145 votes
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 517kcal

Ingredients
 

For the pasta:

  • 2 cups sturdy macaroni noodles (8 ounces )
  • Drizzle of olive oil
  • 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
  • 3/4 cup half and half
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup American cheese
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese

For the topping:

  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a casserole dish with butter. 8 inch squares, an 8 inch round cast iron, or a shallow oval baking dish all work well for this.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and cook, removing 1 minute before the al dente package instructions. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to keep them from sticking together.
  • Meanwhile, warm the milk and the half-and-half in the microwave until hot but not boiling.
  • in a medium sauce pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes or until it's a light golden color.
  • Turn the heat off and slowly add the milk and cream, whisking constantly as you go. The mixture will look very thick and gloppy at first and will thin out as you add the remaining liquid.
  • Turn the heat back on to medium and cook, stirring often, until the mixture is thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season with garlic powder, mustard powder, cayenne, and salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Turn the heat off and add the cheeses in several additions, stirring until melted. Remove from heat.
  • Toss the pasta with the cream sauce and transfer to a greased casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  • To make the crumb topping, combine the panko, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl. Layer on top of the cheese then place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until topping is golden, and edges are bubbly. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can feel free to substitute different cheeses in for the American and Pecorino. Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack are all great options.
  • The crumb topping can be left off if you prefer an all-creamy baked mac and cheese.
  • If you're short on time, you can also broil the topping until crispy instead of baking. 
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword creamy mac and cheese, crumb topping, panko bread crumbs

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 934IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 513mg | Iron: 1mg
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