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Ultra-Creamy Mac & Cheese

A rich and indulgent mac and cheese recipe featuring a blend of cheeses for ultimate creaminess.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk whole milk preferred
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional for heat
Topping
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs panko preferred
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

Cook Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until golden.
  2. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and monterey jack cheeses until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Combine and Bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce, mixing well.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra creaminess, add a splash of cream to the cheese sauce before mixing with pasta.

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