Description
A comforting and cheesy baked mac and cheese recipe that kids will love, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux; cook until golden. Gradually whisk in milk for a smooth sauce.
- Add Cheese: Lower heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix pasta with cheese sauce until fully coated.
- Prepare for Oven: Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes until top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Feel free to add veggies like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, kid-friendly, comfort food, family recipe