Description
Classic macaroni and cheese delights palates with creamy cheddar and tender pasta. Rich comfort emerges from simple ingredients blended with care, promising warmth for families gathering around dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¼ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (540 ml)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles (473 ml)
- 2 cups milk (473 ml)
- 3 tbsps butter
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs (120 ml)
- 2 tbsps flour
- ½ onion, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp dry mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking vessel with cooking spray or oil.
- Pasta Cooking: Immerse pasta in salted water, boiling until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Roux Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, gradually incorporate flour, whisking consistently until the mixture transforms into a light golden hue, developing a rich, smooth base.
- Sauce Development: Introduce milk gradually, whisking vigorously to prevent lumping, then infuse with mustard, finely diced onion, bay leaf, and black pepper; simmer gently, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat, fold in most of the grated cheese until completely melted, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Layering Technique: Combine pasta with cheese sauce, ensuring complete coverage, then transfer half the mixture to the prepared dish, sprinkle with cheese, repeat layering, and crown with remaining cheese.
- Breadcrumb Topping: Toast breadcrumbs in melted butter until golden and aromatic, then generously scatter across the dish’s surface.
- Baking Finale: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until the cheese bubbles enthusiastically and the breadcrumbs achieve a perfect golden-brown crispness.
- Serving Preparation: Allow the dish to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling the sauce to set and making serving a delightful experience.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk milk gradually and constantly to ensure a smooth, creamy cheese sauce without unwanted clumps.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent breaking or becoming grainy, folding gently until fully incorporated.
- Breadcrumb Toasting Tip: Golden-brown breadcrumbs add critical crunch and depth of flavor, so watch carefully while toasting to avoid burning.
- Resting Period Matters: Letting the dish sit for 5-7 minutes after baking allows sauce to set, making serving cleaner and helping flavors meld perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg