Description
A creamy, rich Southern-style baked macaroni and cheese with a crunchy panko breadcrumb topping. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients to create a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing comfort food dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Boil elbow macaroni in salted water for one minute less than package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with a little oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and stir to distribute evenly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and fold gently with a rubber spatula until every noodle is coated. Add a splash of milk if the mixture looks dry.
- In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently.
- Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes
Do not use pre-shredded cheese as anti-caking agents prevent smooth melting. Undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue to cook in the oven. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to prevent it from being soupy. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and certified gluten-free panko.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: mac and cheese, southern mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, panko topping, cheddar cheese, family dinner