Homestyle Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumb Topping

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A comforting casserole of creamy baked macaroni and cheese topped with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb crust perfect for family dinners. 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 550 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups, warmed whole milk
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp paprika

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the 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 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly until the roux is lightly golden and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups warmed whole milk, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. 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 garlic powder until smooth.
4. Step 4: Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, toss 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp paprika until evenly combined. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.