Creamy Cheddar Macaroni Bake

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Creamy Cheddar Macaroni Bake! This vegetarian dish features a velvety cheese sauce made from sharp Cheddar and Parmesan, enveloping tender elbow macaroni and topped with a crispy, buttery breadcrumb layer. Perfect for American cuisine lovers, this recipe is also gluten and dairy-friendly.

Versatile and satisfying, it’s ideal for family dinners or potlucks, and pairs beautifully with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. Easily accessible through your easyChef Pro cookbook, this recipe comes with a convenient shopping list feature, ensuring you get the best ingredients at the lowest cost per serving.

Get started on your meal prep today with easyChef Pro and enjoy a delicious homemade meal!

Overview

This homemade mac and cheese is a comforting classic, featuring a rich cheese sauce made from scratch and topped with buttery bread crumbs. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this dish combines sharp Cheddar and Parmesan for a flavorful experience.

Diet Type

Vegetarian

Allergies

Dairy, Gluten

Cuisine

American

Serving Size: 4

Cooking Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 Ounces (oz) elbow macaroni
• 0.25 Cups salted butter, melted
• 3 Tablespoons (tbsp) all-purpose flour
• 2.5 Cups milk
• 2 Cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 Cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 Pinch salt, to taste
• 1 Pinch ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) salted butter, melted
• 0.5 Cups dry bread crumbs
• 1 Pinch paprika, ground

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
2. 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. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
3. Melt 0.25 cups 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.
4. Gradually whisk 2.5 cups milk into the flour mixture, and bring to a simmer.
5. Stir in shredded Cheddar and 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 0.5 cups more milk if needed.
6. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and stir until well combined.
7. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until well coated and browned.
8. Spread bread crumbs over macaroni and cheese, then sprinkle with paprika.
9. Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden brown and macaroni and cheese is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

Enjoy this comforting and easy-to-make dish with your family!