Best Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe
Creamy baked mac cheese features tender elbow macaroni topped with buttery toasted breadcrumbs for a comforting classic meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 2-3 slices white bread, toasted
- 7 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 1/2 pounds cheddar cheese, grated
- 8 ounces American, Gruyere, or any other smooth melting cheese, grated or cut into chunks
- 2 eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour macaroni into a large bowl, cover with hot water, stir in salt. Let soak for 30 minutes.
- Melt 2 tbsp butter. Pulse toasted white bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add melted butter and pulse to combine. Set aside.
- Melt remaining 5 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, cook, stirring constantly, until light golden blonde. Whisk in evaporated milk and whole milk VERY slowly, creating a smooth, thick sauce. Stir in ground mustard. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
- Stir in grated cheddar and melting cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season to taste.
- Whisk about 1 cup of cheese sauce with the beaten eggs in a separate bowl to temper them. Gradually add this egg mixture back into the main sauce, stirring constantly. Add drained macaroni and stir to combine everything.
- Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased rectangular or square baking dish. Sprinkle the prepared breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and the top is golden brown and crispy. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For an extra gooey cheese pull, use a blend of sharp cheddar and a good melting cheese like Gruyere or Monterey Jack.
- Toasting the bread for the crumbs ensures a crispy, not soggy, topping.
- Tempering the eggs by whisking them with a bit of warm sauce before adding to the main pot prevents scrambling. Allergens: Milk, Wheat. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- Toasting the bread for the crumbs ensures a crispy, not soggy, topping.
- Tempering the eggs by whisking them with a bit of warm sauce before adding to the main pot prevents scrambling. Allergens: Milk, Wheat. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.