Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (2024)

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This Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe is an easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe using your favorite pasta, a cheesy sauce and panko breadcrumbs for crunch. This is the perfect comfort food and also a nice side dish at the holidays.

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (1)

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH BREAD CRUMBS RECIPE

Thanksgiving is almost here and if you are looking for something to have on the table along with your turkey and sides this Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe is your answer.

The kids love it and the adults do too.

I mean who doesn’t love a warm, cheesy bowl of mac and cheese?

This recipe is homemade, so you can forget that boxed stuff!

I finish my Baked Mac and Cheese off with the panko to create a crunchy crispy topping but you can leave that off if you or your guests aren’t into that.

You can also use regular breadcrumbs

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (2)

As a child I remember eating a lot of boxed mac and cheese.

Now I love making more homemade versions with a twist like this Baked Mac and Cheese with Panko Breadcrumbs, Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole or this Instant Pot Vegetable Mac and Cheese.

It was quick and easy but honestly not that good. Nothing beats a homemade mac and cheese because you can control what you put in it and can make it extra cheesy if you like.

If you are looking for side dishes for Thanksgiving check out this page on my blog for some other good ideas including these Green Beans with Toasted Almondsand these Balsamic Carrots.

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE?

PASTA:I used elbow macaroni in this recipe. Any small to medium sized pasta will work great in a macaroni and cheese recipe.

CHEESE: This recipe uses sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese. I like thecombination of those twotogether but any cheese works great!

FlOUR: The flour and the milk together help create a thick sauce with the cheese.

MILK: I used whole milk and heavy cream to create a thick, creamy cheese sauce. You could use other milk it just might not be as creamy.

SPICES:The spice combination in this recipe is my favorite. It uses sweet paprika and earthy ground mustard. I love them together. You can skip those for a more traditional mac and cheese.

BREAD CRUMBS: Panko bread crumbs were my choice to add crunch to this dish. You can also use plain bread crumbs or leave them off all-together!

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (3)

HOW TO MAKE THIS BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Spray a baking dish with cooking oil unless using a cast iron skillet for baking the mac and cheese. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

COOK PASTA: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package until al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking and set aside.

CREATE CHEESE SAUCE: While the pasta cooks melt butter in a large skillet or saucepan.

Whisk in flour slowly over medium-low heat and whisk the entire time until it starts to become bubbly.

Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth.Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface. Whisk in the paprika, ground mustard, black pepper and salt and whisk for 2 more minutes.

COMBINE PASTA WITH SAUCE:Add 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another 1 cup shar cheddar and continue whisking until it thickens.

Stir in the pasta and mix well until the cheese and pasta are combined.

ADD MAC AND CHEESE TO BAKING DISH: Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish or you can leave it in the large skillet. Top with the remaining 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Top with the panko breadcrumbs.

BAKE: Bake at 325F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Optional: garnish with parsley. Serve warm.

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (4)

HOW CAN I MODIFY THIS RECIPE?

The nice thing with a homemade mac and cheese is you can also add lots of other ingredients in.

PROTEIN: Try adding a protein in to your macaroni and cheese. I like shredded rotisserie chicken, canned tuna or salmon.

VEGETABLES: Vegetables are a great way to get more nutrition out of your mac and cheese recipe. I especially like adding peas, chopped up broccoli, cauliflower or carrots to mine.

SQUASH: In the fall it is nice to add in some squash to a mac and cheese recipe. Try butternut squash or delicata squash.

CHEESE: Use any cheese you like in your baked mac and cheese. I sometimes like adding a smoked gouda or a spicy cheese, like pepper jack, to give it a unique flavor.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoys a table of delicoius, warming food. My favorite thing about food and cooking is that it brings us to the table to spend time with each other.

As I sit down at the table each year I like to reflect on all that I am thankful for.

One of those things is you, my readers. I love that I can do what I enjoy and am passion about and share that with people that also love food. Cheers to a very happy table of family and friends and full stomachs.

OTHER PASTA RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

SPICY SAUSAGE PASTA

LEMON PASTA

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA

CAJUN PASTA WITH CHICKEN SAUSAGE AND SHRIMP

ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA BAKE

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (5)

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (6)

Yield: 8-10

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe is an easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe using your favorite pasta, a cheesy sauce and panko breadcrumbs for crunch. This is the perfect comfort food and also a nice side dish at the holidays.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces of pasta {your choice, smaller pasta works best}
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar, shredded {divided}
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded {divided}
  • 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup of panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Spray a baking dish with cooking oil unless using a cast iron skillet for baking the mac and cheese. Set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  4. Cook pasta according to package until al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep from sticking and set aside.
  5. While the pasta cooks melt butter in a large skillet or saucepan.
  6. Whisk in flour slowly over medium-low heat and whisk the entire time until it starts to become bubbly.
  7. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth.Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface. Whisk in the paprika, ground mustard, black pepper and salt and whisk for 2 more minutes.
  8. Add 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another 1 cup shar cheddar and continue whisking until it thickens.
  9. Stir in the pasta and mix wel until the cheese and pasta are combined.
  10. Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish or you can leave it in the large skillet. Top with the remaining 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. You can leave the mac and cheese in the skillet or transfer to your baking dish if you prefer.
  11. Top with the panko breadcrumbs.
  12. Bake at 325F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  13. Optional: garnish with parsley.
  14. Serve warm.

Notes

You can easily half the recipe for a smaller crowd.

You can use any type of cheese you like.

If you like spice add crushred red pepper, caynened red pepper or you could add chopped jalapenos.

You can prep the mac and cheese the day before, topping with the cheese but leaving off the panko. Add the panko the day of and bake the mac and cheese in the oven when ready to serve.

Related Posts:

  • Baked Chicken Meatballs
  • Easy Pan Fried Fish
  • Maple Dijon Turkey Meatballs
Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why put breadcrumbs on mac and cheese? ›

The combination of gruyere, cheddar, and dijon mustard adds depth to the cheese sauce and makes it so creamy and delicious. Breadcrumb topping! It adds a crunchy texture to each bite of macaroni and cheese, taking it to the next level. Quick and easy weeknight meal or decadent side dish.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese baked? ›

7 Best Cheeses for Macaroni and Cheese
  • Cheddar. Cheddar is a staple for countless recipes. ...
  • Parmesan. Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. ...
  • Gruyere. Update your mac and cheese recipes to something more mature with Gruyere. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Smoked Gouda. ...
  • Monterey Jack. ...
  • Fontina. ...
  • Sausage Mac and Cheese.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

How do you keep mac and cheese creamy after baking? ›

Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat,” he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

When should you not use breadcrumbs? ›

Since breadcrumbs are meant to act as a navigational aid for websites having complex hierarchies or multiple categories, using them would not make sense if you have a simple site structure. In this case, using a breadcrumb trail does not offer any valuable benefit and can even confuse users.

How to add breadcrumbs to boxed mac and cheese? ›

Plain breadcrumbs, Italian breadcrumbs, and Panko all work well. Mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter to a cup of breadcrumbs. Top your Mac and Cheese just before baking and bake until the casserole is bubbly and browned.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

The remaining ingredients are simple: butter and flour (which makes the sauce thicken), milk, spices, salt, and pepper. For the milk, I prefer whole milk since it makes a creamier sauce, but I've used reduced fat milk plenty of times without complaint.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

1. It takes two cheeses to tango with mac. For really great macaroni and cheese, you need a cheese that melts well and a cheese that packs a punch. A few cheeses do both (that's a shout out to you, cheddar, emmentaler, and your other alpine-style, fondue favorites).

What makes mac and cheese taste good? ›

Adding cold butter to the sauce and baking the mac in the oven helps with both texture and flavor. Incorporating things like real cheese, bacon, or leftover veggies can turn boxed mac and cheese into a full meal.

Why use evaporated milk in mac n cheese? ›

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Is evaporated milk better than milk for mac and cheese? ›

It is better to use heavy cream for Mac and Cheese instead of milk, or better yet, use evaporated milk which has the thickness of heavy cream without all of the fat! Furthermore, it is more stable than heavy cream so your Macaroni and Cheese is less likely to curdle or separate.

Is evaporated milk better than whole milk for mac and cheese? ›

Any milk is fine. I usually use whole milk, then add some cream, sometimes, just to make it richer. Then you add the cheese of your choice, and melt that, then put the cooked macaroni in. If you are used to using evaporated milk, it's because it makes the sauce a little creamier/richer.

What is the purpose of breadcrumbs in food? ›

Breadcrumbs (also known as breading) consist of crumbled bread of various dryness, sometimes with seasonings added, used for breading or crumbing foods, topping casseroles, stuffing poultry, thickening stews, adding inexpensive bulk to soups, meatloaves and similar foods, and making a crisp and crunchy covering for ...

Why use breadcrumbs instead of flour? ›

Breadcrumbs are an essential ingredient in so many recipes: They act as a binder for meatballs and meatloaf and keep them from becoming dry. They also add crunch on top of bowls of pasta and casserole dishes, and they're the secret to extra-crispy cutlets.

How do I make my mac and cheese better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How do you keep mac and cheese from sticking together? ›

I drain the pasta and put it back in the pot with a couple tablespoons of pasta water, add whole milk and butter, stir until the butter is melted and then add the cheese packet. Never seem to have problems with clumping.

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