Creamy, rich cheddar sauce coats tender pasta, finished with golden buttery crumbs for the ultimate comfort food experience.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 8 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk, warmed
05 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - ½ cup Gruyère or mozzarella cheese, grated
07 - ½ tsp mustard powder
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp salt
→ Topping
10 - ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
12 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F for baked version preparation.
02 - Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook macaroni until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tbsp butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until smooth roux forms without browning.
04 - Gradually whisk warm milk into roux until smooth. Cook stirring until sauce thickens and bubbles, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Stir in cheddar and Gruyère until melted and smooth. Add mustard powder, black pepper, and salt.
06 - Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce. Stir until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan in small bowl. Mix thoroughly.
08 - Transfer macaroni mixture to lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb topping evenly over surface. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
