Baked Mac and Cheese with Cornbread Crust

Creamy, crunchy, and completely irresistible, this Baked Mac and Cheese featuring a cornbread crust is an easy and tasty dinner recipe that is comforting and will feed the whole family.

Pin

This Baked Mac and Cheese has a delicious cornbread crust or topping I should say. It is absolutely delicious, a little bit different but works so well together.

I’m always down for mac n cheese recipes, it is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods every. It comes in so many different forms! I believe that you can never go wrong with a good macaroni and cheese recipe.

We like to keep packets of cornbread muffin mix around the house to make to eat a lot with our meals and I think cornbread and macaroni and cheese go great together.

That is why we decided to make this Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with a cornbread crumb topping. Trust me, once you try it you will see why I did what I did. 

There really is no turning back when it comes to this recipe. Once you have that creamy cheese sauce, you’re hooked—at least that is how I feel. It’s way better than classic mac!

Now that the days are getting cooler and I’m craving more of that comfort food this recipe is made even more often than any time of the year! That is completely ok with us.

As I said, this is a super simple recipe and can be whipped up in minutes! I promise that once you try this Baked Mac and Cheese it will be your go-to recipe.

Pin

Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE:
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• WHAT KIND OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?
• WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE FOR BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE?
• DO I HAVE TO USE CORNBREAD CRUMBS?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Baked Mac and Cheese with Cornbread Crust

1. Easy-to-find ingredients help this delicious baked mac come together quickly.
2. The cornbread crust really gives it a great taste and a slight crunch.
3. This can be a delicious dinner-time recipe or one you bring to gatherings.

• Elbow macaroni
• Unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour
• Mustard powder
• Kosher salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Pepper
• Whole milk
• Egg
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Cornbread crumbs
• Parsley for garnish, optional

Pin

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 11×7 baking dish with baking spray, set aside. Add 3 tablespoons of butter to a medium-sized saucepan. 
2. Once melted add the flour, mustard powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, whisk to combine. Cook for 30 seconds whisking constantly.
3. Very slowly stream in the milk while whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 3 minutes, whisking constantly until thickened. Temper in the egg and take off the heat. 
4. Add ¾ of the cheddar and whisk it in until melted. 
5. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked noodles and the cheese sauce. Pour everything into the baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
6. In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Add the cornbread crumbs and toss in the butter. Evenly scatter this mixture over the baking dish.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley, optional.

Pin

WHAT KIND OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?

Traditionally we use elbow macaroni for this recipe as it is the size we are going for.

You can use any smaller pasta like penne, rotini, farfalle and more as long as it is the same amount called for in the recipe.

WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE FOR BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE?

We find that a stronger cheese works perfectly for this and doesn’t get lost in the flavor of everything else so we use sharp cheddar cheese.

You can use your favorite kind of cheese or cheese combination for this Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe but sharp cheddar is our default as it works really well with everything.

Also, make sure to use freshly shredded cheese, do not use bagged cheese. The pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives and it doesn’t like to melt properly.

Pin

DO I HAVE TO USE CORNBREAD CRUMBS?

We really like the flavor and if you have a mix laying around it doesn’t take that much time to whip up and then crumble them, but you don’t absolutely need to.

In its place, I would recommend using panko breadcrumbs as they have a chunkier texture than regular bread crumbs and will help soak up that butter and brown nicely.

ANY ADDITIONS?

Make sure you cook your elbow pasta al dente!

Here are some great ingredients you could consider.

• Gruyere cheese: Add some shredded Gruyere for a richer flavor.
• Pepper jack: Mix in pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
• Dijon mustard: A spoonful of Dijon mustard can enhance the cheesy sauce.
• Cayenne pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper for some heat.
• Green beans: Add green beans for a veggie twist.
• Monterey Jack cheese: Mix in Monterey Jack for a creamy sauce.
• Bacon bits: Stir in crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.
• Potato chips: Crush potato chips and sprinkle on top for added crunch.
• Heavy cream: Replace some milk with heavy cream for a creamier sauce.
• Parmesan cheese: Add a sprinkle of Parmesan for a sharp flavor boost.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Any great recipe should have some easy subs.

Let me know how your creamy mac and cheese turns out!

• Sharp cheddar: Use white cheddar for a milder taste.
• Cornbread crumbs: Replace with crushed Ritz crackers for a different crunch.
• Whole milk: Substitute with a mix of milk and heavy cream for richness.
• Unsalted butter: Use salted butter but reduce the added salt.
• Elbow macaroni: Swap with any small pasta like shells or rotini.
• Mustard powder: Substitute with Dijon mustard for a tangier flavor.

This can be stored in an airtight container or covered in the pan in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

This can also be frozen, to do that let your macaroni and cheese cool and then place in a freezer container or bag and it should keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Let defrost in the refrigerator and you can reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

Pin

Want that comfort meal to warm you up from your insides out?

I’ve got your new favorite recipe. Try this Baked Mac and Cheese with Cornbread Crust!

If you’ve tried this BAKED MAC AND CHEESE, let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!