This recipe for mac and cheese has a buttery bread crumb topping that is creamy and warming. Making the cheese sauce from scratch on your stovetop is simple. Start with a roux then add milk, Cheddar, and Parmesan to create a rich, delicious sauce that covers the noodles completely.
| Prep Time: | 10 mins |
| Cook Time: | 45 mins |
| Total Time: | 55 mins |
| Servings: | 4 |
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk, or more as needed
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and ground black pepper to taste (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup dry bread crumbs
- 1 pinch ground paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Make the macaroni and cheese: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- While the macaroni is cooking, melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium skillet over low heat. Whisk in flour and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Gradually whisk 2 1/2 cups milk into the flour mixture, and bring to a simmer. Stir in shredded Cheddar and finely grated Parmesan cheeses; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes, adding up to 1/2 cup more milk if needed. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and stir until well combined.
- Make the bread crumb topping: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until well coated and browned. Spread bread crumbs over macaroni and cheese, then sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden brown and macaroni and cheese is bubbling, about 30 minutes.
Reviews
Are used crushed corn checks because I did not have any bread crumbs, but change nothing else came out
creamy and delicious. Added mustard and greek yogurt for som of the liquid.
Love. Based on reviews I substitute SOME of the milk with evaporated milk and sour cream. Also, add some onion powder and mustard seasoning. Oh, and I use various white cheeses: sharp and ital mixture. Yum!
needs a little spice
It was quite bland, not much flavour and not very cheesy.
This baked for way too long I baked it at 350 for 30 mins and then 5 mins at 425 to brown the top layer of cheese and all that gooey cheese sauce I poured in there disintegrated!!!! Very dry should have only baked for like 10 mins.
Comforting and filling. A little bit grainy even though I whisked the roux a very long time. Otherwise lovely baked dish that went great w a side salad. Ps. I didn’t have elbow macaroni (used rotini) and I subbed in crushed/ buttered Ritz crackers for topping.
Had to add a bit more flour to thicken mine & paprika salt pepper in sauce for more added flavour not too bad
This was delicious!!! I used crushed up bbq chips instead of the bread crumbs and it gave it that perfect ending!!! Will definitely make this again!!!
My Family asks for this Mac and Cheese constantly. Absolutely love, love, love this. Thank You so very much. I have to say I put on the top of Mac and Cheese last 5 minutes are the fried onions. To die for. Thank You.
i absoluetly loved it
Made it for my daughter who doesn’t like Mac and cheese from a box. Bought nice fresh cheddar and Parmesan cheese and fancy breadcrumbs. She declared it bland. Wish I had not wasted an hour cooking it.
very good, simple and easy to make. The flour and butter did not become “paste like” but that didn’t seem to be a problem. I followed the rest of the recipe and it came out silky and creamy!
Shells, half n half, 3 artisan cheeses and a 6 cheese Italian mix, panko and 4x’s the quantity so I have some to freeze and some for gifts. It’s absolutely delicious.
It’s always great to find a recipe that comes out just as predicted! I substituted half the cheddar with smoked gouda. Yummy! Used panko crumbs but forgot the paprika. Will definitely put it in the next time, and will try the dry mustard offered by other users. I think you could choose just about any cheese, would use the parmesan, though. Allrecipes is a reliable source for good recipes.
I added sun dried tomatoes and shrimp
Added Parmesan and it was awesome!
Didn’t like all the parmeson. Next time I will use less
The Mac and cheese is great! I like white pepper and dry mustard and some garlic salt in mine so I put that in. The proportions for the macaroni and sauce are perfect!
I added turmeric, paprika, white pepper to flour. Used shells that were made from corn, brown rice and quinoa (Ancient Harvest brand). The cheese filled the small shells and were yummy. I browned Italian bread crumbs for the topping. Very, very delicious. I will serve again!!! Thank you.
The homemade Mac and cheese was really good considering I rarely eat Mac and cheese Made 1/2 recipe, didn’t have crackers so I used toasted panko crumbs. Will definitely make it again. Thanks for sharing it.