Oven-Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Cheddar and Crispy Breadcrumbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

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.

Classic baked macaroni and cheese enriched with sharp smoked cheddar and topped with a crunchy golden breadcrumb crust. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 50 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 480 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: 35 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz elbow macaroni, and cook for 7 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until a pale roux forms and smells nutty.
Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp smoked cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder.
Step 5: Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce, then transfer to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 6: Toss 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp paprika, then sprinkle evenly over macaroni.
Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.