Homemade Mac and Cheese

This classic baked mac and cheese recipe with a buttered bread crumb topping is creamy and comforting. It's easy to make the cheese sauce from scratch on your stovetop, starting with a roux and adding milk, Cheddar, and Parmesan, resulting in a rich, decadent sauce that coats every nook and cranny of the noodles. Serve this comfort-food macaroni and cheese casserole with grilled meats, sloppy Joes, fried chicken or alongside a salad for a meatless dinner.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 845 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dry bread crumbs
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup salted butter
• 1 pinch ground paprika
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 ½ cups milk, or more as needed
• salt and ground black pepper to taste (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.

Step 2

Make the macaroni and cheese: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

Step 3

While the macaroni is cooking, melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium skillet over low heat. Whisk in flour and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4

Gradually whisk 2 1/2 cups milk into the flour mixture, and bring to a simmer. Stir in shredded Cheddar and finely grated Parmesan cheeses; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes, adding up to 1/2 cup more milk if needed. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and stir until well combined.

Step 5

Make the bread crumb topping: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until well coated and browned. Spread bread crumbs over macaroni and cheese, then sprinkle with paprika.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden brown and macaroni and cheese is bubbling, about 30 minutes.