The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese with three cheeses, a creamy sauce, and a golden crunchy topping — the ultimate comfort food!
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni or other tubular pasta, cooked one minute shy of al dente
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese freshly shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping
- 1½ cups panko bread crumbs
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a large 3- or 4-quart baking dish and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni one minute less than the package directs for al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat the noodles to prevent sticking. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce
- In a deep saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute, whisking constantly until it forms a smooth paste and turns slightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring until smooth and bubbling. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then slowly add in 2 cups of cheddar cheese and whisk until melted and smooth. Add another 2 cups of cheddar and continue whisking. Stir in the Gruyere cheese until the sauce is thick, creamy, and silky.
Step 4: Combine
- Pour the drained pasta into the cheese sauce and stir until every noodle is evenly coated.
Step 5: Layer
- Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the remaining Gruyere and cheddar cheese, then pour over the rest of the pasta mixture. Top with the final layer of cheese.
Step 6: Make the Topping
- In a small bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, shredded Parmesan, melted butter, and smoked paprika. Mix well and sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
Step 7: Bake
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.