Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese, a family favorite and the perfect holiday side dish!
Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? It’s kind of like pizza, even when it’s bad it’s good! There is nothing bad about today’s recipe, it’s all pure goodness! Baked macaroni and cheese is just a staple for the holidays. With that cheesy sauce, fun shaped noodles and crunchy breadcrumb topping, it is everyone’s favorite side!!
Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound elbow macaroni noodles
- 3 Tbls butter
- 3 Tbls all purpose flour
- 3 Cups milk
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 egg
- 2 Cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Topping:
- 1 Cup colby monterey jack shredded cheese blend
- 1 Cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbls butter melted
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large stock pot, cook macaroni to directions on back of box. While pasta cooks, assemble the cheese sauce. In a large sauce pan, add the 3 Tbls butter and the flour. Whisk to combine and form a paste, add in the 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Add in the milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let cook for 10 minutes until thickened. Temper in the egg and take off the heat. Add in the cheese.
- Add cooked pasta into the cheese sauce pot and with a spoon mix until pasta is coated. In a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray, add in the pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. In a small zip lock bag, add the breadcrumbs, sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper and butter. Toss until breadcrumbs are coated, Top macaroni and cheese with the mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered until bubbly. Take out of the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving, enjoy!
Nutrition
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large stock pot, cook macaroni to directions on back of box. While pasta cooks, assemble the cheese sauce. In a large sauce pan, add the 3 Tbls butter and the flour. Whisk to combine and form a paste, add in the 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Add in the milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let cook for 10 minutes until thickened. Temper in the egg and take off the heat. Add in the cheese.
Add cooked pasta into the cheese sauce pot and with a spoon mix until pasta is coated. In a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray, add in the pasta mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
In a small zip lock bag, add the breadcrumbs, sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper and butter. Toss until breadcrumbs are coated, Top macaroni and cheese with the mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered until bubbly. Take out of the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving, enjoy!
I make this sometimes during the week for a little treat and I love it because there are always left overs, making for more quick dinners later in the week. If you have never made baked macaroni and cheese before, I highly recommend it! It is such a warm, comforting dish, your family will really love it!
Now go check out Parrish’s recipe for Bacon Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes:
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Comments & Reviews
Megin says
Yum, Dana! I love mac & cheese and this looks soooo good!
Thank you for sharing your post this week at Brag About It Link Party on VMG206. I’m featuring you at Next Weeks Brag About It Link Party, Monday at midnight!
~ Megin of VMG206
Adelina Priddis says
I’ll raise my hand – I don’t like mac and cheese 🙂 but the rest of this house could eat it ALL DAY LONG! I think this looks much better than boxed. Thanks for sharing on Weekend Bites
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
I’m all about Mac and Cheese and this sounds awesome! This recipe sounds like it’s right up my alley! PINNED! And thank you for joining the Found & Foraged link up party. We hope to see you again this Saturday! Happy Thanksgiving!
Joanie says
I can’t think of a pasta dish I love more than macaroni and cheese and yours is the ultimate! I love all the wonderful cheese and spices, plus the crunchy topping is an added bonus!
Sues says
So true that mac and cheese is like pizza in that even when it’s bad it’s good! I’m always shocked when I hear of people who don’t like it… Like, huh?! I almost never make it as a side for some reason, so I think I need to take this beautiful recipe and change that ASAP!