Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Sharp Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-29 · Updated 2026-07-29

A rich and cheesy baked macaroni and cheese featuring sharp cheddar and a golden breadcrumb topping, perfect for soul food dinners. This Southern-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter. Whisk in 6 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a light roux.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 4 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Stir in 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika until smooth and creamy.
5. Step 5: Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat all pasta evenly.
6. Step 6: Transfer macaroni and cheese to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the macaroni.
8. Step 8: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.