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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with a Crunchy Panko Topping
This Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with a Crunchy Panko Topping is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. The creamy mac and cheese is made with a blend of three cheeses and topped with a crunchy panko and butter topping. It’s the perfect combination of cheesy goodness and crunchy texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes, whisking frequently, until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese into an 8×8-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!