Family-Friendly Baked Macaroni 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.

A comforting baked macaroni and cheese with a crisp golden breadcrumb topping, perfect for a fun family meal. 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 the oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz elbow macaroni. Cook for 7-8 minutes until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and slightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk 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, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until melted and smooth.
  5. Step 5: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully combined.
  6. Step 6: Pour the macaroni and cheese into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Step 7: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon paprika, then sprinkle evenly over the top.
  8. Step 8: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.

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