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Creamy pasta with cheese

Featured in Pasta dishes that make everyone smile.

Homemade pasta smothered in three-cheese sauce, topped with a crunchy crust. A tasty twist on a classic.
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Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:54:23 GMT
A dish of creamy mac and cheese with a golden crunchy topping. Pin it
A dish of creamy mac and cheese with a golden crunchy topping. | tastyhush.com

This mac and cheese casserole hits all the comfort food buttons. It's creamy, rich, and topped with a perfect golden crunchy crust. Whether you dish it up as a side or make it your main course, it'll quickly become a family favorite.

Comforting and Versatile

This dish takes regular mac and cheese up a notch with its velvety sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping. It's super easy to make, reheats beautifully, and works great for holidays, potlucks, or cozy dinners. Everyone loves it because of its hearty flavors and comforting textures - it's a hit no matter the occasion.

Perfect Ingredients

  • Macaroni: 350g cooked until just tender. Look for golden, well-shaped pasta.
  • Butter: 60g softened unsalted for a smooth blend.
  • Flour: 30g all-purpose, lump-free for a smooth base.
  • Milk: 500ml whole at room temp for extra creaminess.
  • Heavy cream: 250ml chilled for added richness.
  • Cheddar: 250g freshly grated for maximum flavor.
  • Dijon mustard: 5ml to enhance the sauce.
  • Breadcrumbs: 100g preferably panko for extra crunch.
  • Parmesan (optional): 25g grated for extra flavor.

Simple Step-by-Step

Heat Your Oven
Set to 190°C. Butter a 23x33cm baking dish.
Cook the Pasta
Boil 350g macaroni in salty water until tender but firm. Drain and set aside.
Start the Base
Melt 60g butter in a pot. Add 30g flour and cook for 2 minutes until it turns golden.
Create the Cheesy Mix
Slowly pour in 500ml milk and 250ml cream. Cook until it thickens. Stir in 250g cheddar and 5ml mustard until everything's smooth.
Combine Everything
Mix the pasta with the sauce. Pour into your buttered dish.
Top It Off
Mix 100g breadcrumbs with 30g melted butter (and 25g parmesan if you want). Sprinkle over the pasta.
Bake It
Put in oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
A creamy macaroni and cheese bake topped with golden breadcrumbs and fresh parsley. Pin it
A creamy macaroni and cheese bake topped with golden breadcrumbs and fresh parsley. | tastyhush.com

Serving Ideas

Pair this creamy casserole with a crisp salad, roasted veggies, or garlic bread for a complete meal. Want to make it even tastier? Add a few drops of hot sauce or sprinkle some extra parmesan on top before you dig in.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Sure! Assemble the dish but skip the topping. Store it in the fridge, then add the topping before baking. Just bake 5-10 minutes longer.
→ Which cheeses are best?
Sharp cheddar adds flavor, mozzarella gives it that stretchy texture, and parmesan boosts the taste. Feel free to mix it up with your favorites.
→ How can I avoid lumpy sauce?
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Melt the cheeses off the heat and add them bit by bit.
→ How do I get a crunchy topping?
Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular ones. Mix them with melted butter and don’t press them down too much on top.
→ Can I substitute the pasta?
Elbow macaroni is traditional, but penne, fusilli, or any short pasta that holds sauce works great too.

Cheesy baked pasta

A cheesy baked pasta featuring a rich three-cheese sauce and a golden, crunchy topping. Pure comfort food.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 baking dish)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 pound elbow macaroni.
02 4 tablespoons unsalted butter.
03 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
04 3 cups whole milk.
05 1 cup heavy cream.
06 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
07 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
08 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
09 1 1/2 pounds shredded sharp cheddar.
10 8 ounces shredded mozzarella.
11 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.
12 1 cup panko breadcrumbs.
13 2 tablespoons melted butter for topping.
14 1/4 cup grated parmesan for topping.
15 Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 375°F. Cook the macaroni following the instructions on the package.

Step 02

Whisk together butter, flour, milk, and cream until thickened over heat.

Step 03

Stir cheeses and spices into the sauce off the heat until smooth.

Step 04

Add the pasta to the cheesy sauce and combine well.

Step 05

Blend parmesan, panko, melted butter, and paprika together for the crumb layer.

Step 06

Spread the mixture into a dish, add the topping, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

Notes

  1. Grab a 9x13-inch baking dish for this.
  2. Wait a few minutes before serving to let it settle.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • Large pot.
  • Baking dish.
  • Whisk.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten.
  • Dairy products.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Total Fat: 38 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 28 g