Comforting Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumb Topping

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.

Classic baked macaroni and cheese with a rich cheddar sauce, topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a crunchy finish that comforts the soul. 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 520 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 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling and slightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups warmed whole milk, continuing to whisk until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp mustard powder.
  5. Step 5: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  6. Step 6: In a small bowl, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter and mix with 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni.
  7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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