The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
This is the ultimate baked Homemade Mac and Cheese! A creamy, from scratch cheese sauce and a buttery bread crumb topping make it the perfect comfort food.
Ingredients
- 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk plus more as needed
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup dry bread crumbs
- 1 pinch ground paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8 inch square baking dish.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- For the sauce: Melt ¼ cup butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Season with salt and pepper. If sauce is too thick, add more milk.
- Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and stir to combine.
- For the topping: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet. Add bread crumbs and cook until golden brown.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs over macaroni and cheese, then dust with paprika.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cheese is Key: For the best flavor and meltability, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre shredded cheese contains anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Make it Your Own: Feel free to add cooked bacon, diced ham, or a teaspoon of mustard powder for extra flavor.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: For an extra crispy topping, use Panko bread crumbs instead of traditional ones.