Mac and Cheese

This Homemade Mac and Cheese recipe is the best old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese recipe - it's an easy baked mac and cheese casserole with a creamy cheese sauce & crispy topping!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Cheese, Comfort Food

Keyword Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 426kcal

Author Chrissie (thebusybaker.ca)

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/3 cups half and half
2 1/2 cups red mature cheddar
1 1/2 cups Gruyère or Emmental cheese or a mix of both
1 cup mozzarella cheese
butter for the baking dish

For the crispy topping:

3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter melted
2-3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Boil your pasta per package instructions and drain it. Make sure you only cook it until al dente.
In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and lemon juice and set them aside for the chemical reaction to finish.
Mix the milk and half and half in a small pot and warm them up well. Grate all your cheese.
In a large pot, melt the butter, add the flour and spices and make a roux. Mix well with a whisk. Let the roux cook for a while until it gets a nutty colour and flavour.
Add the lemon and baking soda mixture and mix well.
Add the milk and half and half and mix well. Your mixture should be hot at this point. If it isn't, keep it over medium heat, mixing continuously until it gets hot but doesn't boil.
Remove the mixture from the heat and gradually mix in your grated cheeses. Mix with a whisk or silicone spatula until melted.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Add the boiled pasta to the sauce and mix well.
Mix all of the crispy topping ingredients together. Butter the cast iron or baking dish.
Pour the mac and cheese in the cast iron skillet or baking dish and sprinkle with the crispy topping.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the crispy topping is lightly browned.

Notes

Storage Instructions

The mac and cheese keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can freeze the mac and cheese for up to two months if stored in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Nutrition