Comfort Mac and Cheese Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

This American-inspired comfort-food 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 450 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook 12 oz elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water for 7-8 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat, then whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly until a light roux forms.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder until melted and smooth.
  5. Step 5: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated, then transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  6. Step 6: Toss 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle evenly over the top.
  7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

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