09/04/2026
Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
1 lb elbow macaroni (or cavatappi), cooked al dente
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk, warmed
1 cup heavy cream
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
2 cups gouda or gruyere cheese, freshly shredded
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
Instructions
Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and grease a large baking dish (or use a heavy-duty slow cooker if you prefer the slow-cooked crust shown here).
Make the Roux: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1β2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Build the Sauce: Slowly pour in the warm milk and heavy cream while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Simmer until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce.
Add Cheese and Seasoning: Remove from heat and stir in half of the cheddar and half of the gouda/gruyere until completely melted and creamy. Season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Combine: Fold the cooked macaroni directly into the cheese sauce until every noodle is thoroughly coated.
Layer and Bake: Pour half of the mac and cheese into your dish, sprinkle a layer of cheese, then add the rest. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and panko breadcrumbs.
Bake: Bake for 25β30 minutes, then broil for the final 2β3 minutes until the top is deeply golden, bubbling, and caramelized with that ultimate cheese stretch. Serve warm!