Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (about 7-9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until golden (about 1 minute). Gradually add milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Stir until thickened (3-5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in grated cheddar until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well-coated.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with panko breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Experiment with different cheeses like gouda or mozzarella for varied flavors.
- Add vegetables like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg