Creamy baked mac and cheese with sharp cheddar and Gruyère, topped with a crunchy paprika breadcrumb crust.
About this American recipe
Baked macaroni and cheese has been part of American home cooking since the nineteenth century. A béchamel base keeps it creamy after baking.
Ingredients you will need
The main ingredients are elbow macaroni, butter, plain flour, mustard powder, whole milk, sharp cheddar. Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.
How long it takes
Allow 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation, 35 min of cooking. The recipe serves 6.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy baked mac and cheese with sharp cheddar and Gruyère, topped with a crunchy paprika breadcrumb crust.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 190°C. Cook the macaroni for 2 minutes less than the packet time and drain.
- Melt the butter, stir in the flour and mustard powder and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk gradually and cook for 5 minutes until thick.
- Take off the heat and stir in the cheeses until melted. Season.
- Mix with the macaroni and pour into a baking dish.
- Toss the panko with the melted butter and paprika, scatter over, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Notes
Grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.