Description
This recipe for Creamy Four-Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese is a celebration of comfort and flavor. It’s designed to bring joy and connection to your kitchen, transforming a simple meal into a memorable experience. Embrace the spirit of playful improvisation and create a dish that nourishes both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 cups shredded cheese blend (such as cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, and Fontina)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add shredded cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Pour the macaroni mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations to find your favorite.
- For an extra cheesy topping, add a little extra shredded cheese before the breadcrumbs.
- You can add cooked bacon bits or steamed broccoli to the mac and cheese before baking for added flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg