One-Pot Cheesy Macaroni Kid-Friendly Bake

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 developed and reviewed.

A creamy baked macaroni dish with gooey cheese and a crunchy breadcrumb topping, perfect for family-friendly meals. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 45 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: 30 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. In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz elbow macaroni. Cook for 7 minutes until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until golden and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, stirring constantly. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Add the drained macaroni back into the cheese sauce and stir to combine evenly.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Step 7: In a small bowl, toss 1 cup plain breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil until coated. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni.
  8. Step 8: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crisp. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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