Description
A comforting and indulgent dish featuring a creamy cheese sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme) for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes until golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook until thickened.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and then incorporate the cheeses one by one, allowing each to melt completely before adding the next.
- Add the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, and mix well to ensure each piece is coated.
- In a small bowl, mix Panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, salt, and chopped herbs.
- Pour the creamy pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and distribute the breadcrumb mixture on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions. Avoid low-fat dairy for the best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, comfort food, baked pasta, creamy cheese