Baked Mac & Cheese with Crispy Topping: Irresistibly Creamy Comfort
Enjoy this baked mac & cheese with a crispy topping, perfect for comfort food lovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the flour to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, cooking until thickened.
- Stir in the cheese, paprika, black pepper, and salt until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Garnish with chopped parsley for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Baked Mac & Cheese, Comfort Food, Crispy Topping