Baked Macaroni And Cheese With Garlic Parmesan Breadcrumbs

This is the best mac and cheese I have ever had! It delivers incredible flavor from three different cheeses. Additionally, it has a crispy garlic and parmesan breadcrumb topping that will make you reach for seconds. This baked macaroni and cheese is more sophisticated than some other version, but is undeniable still comfort food. This recipe is unique because it has aromatics from the onions and tanginess from the mustard. These flavors enhance the rich and creamy cheese sauce and create the perfect comforting dinner, side dish, or holiday meal.

Baked mac and cheese has got to be the ultimate comfort food. There is nothing better than the ooey gooey cheese sauce and the crispy breadcrumbs. Although this particular recipe might be more suited to an adult palette with the additions of onion, garlic and mustard. However, I grew up eating a very similar dish that my mom made, and I can guarantee you that as a child I loved the big flavors of this mac and cheese. Most cooks likely already have a favorite macaroni recipe. Give this one a try if you are looking for something new and different.

Ingredients (and substitutes)

• Cheese – our favorite cheese to use for this recipe is a mixture of cheddar and gruyere cheese as they have great flavor. However, you can substitute any cheese that you prefer or have on hand. We would recommend always grating your own cheese as the pre-grated cheeses at the grocery store are often lightly coated and do not melt as well.
• Milk – we recommend using milk for this recipe instead of cream. The sauce is already very rich from the cheese and butter.
• Mustard – this is a secret ingredient that adds a tangy element to the dish. In this recipe we suggest using a combination of mustard powder and Dijon mustard.
• Onions and Garlic – these aromatics add a savory element to the dish and help create a more complex flavor profile.
• Breadcrumbs – to make the breadcrumb topping, we recommend using panko. This is a light Japanese style breadcrumb that can be found in the international aisle of many grocery stores.

Equipment – This recipe requires a sturdy baking or casserole dish that can handle higher heat in the oven. I always like to bake my macaroni and cheese in something a little special to give it more of a showstopper quality. I find that patterned or colorful dishes do a better job at showcasing the ooey gooey cheese drips. Here are a couple of casserole dishes that we have our eyes on: Kate Spade Baking Dish or these Staub Baking Dishes

How to make baked macaroni and cheese with crispy garlic breadcrumbs

Here is how to make delicious baked macaroni and cheese:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a casserole dish by lightly greasing it with butter.
2. Cook the pasta until it is al dente, remove from heat, drain, and mix in 1 tbsp butter.
3. Sauté onion and garlic, over medium heat.
4. Make the sauce, add flour to the onions and cook 2 minutes. Add milk and seasonings, and cook until sauce thickens. Add the cheese and pasta to the sauce and stir until smooth.
5. Place pasta in greased casserole dish. Mix together the topping with fingers and sprinkle over pasta.
6. Bake in oven for 25 minutes, allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.

Questions about making baked macaroni and cheese

How do you store baked macaroni and cheese? Macaroni and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

How do you reheat baked macaroni and cheese? It is always tough to reheat macaroni and cheese and keep the crispy topping for getting soggy. We recommend placing the macaroni and cheese in the microwave for 1-2 minutes then placing under the broiler briefly to crisp up the breadcrumb topping.

What types of pasta can I use to make macaroni and cheese? You can use almost any pasta to make macaroni and cheese. While elbow macaroni is the most popular shape, pasta that is hollow, ridged or has shape to it will hod the sauce better. Some of our favorite pastas for macaroni and cheese are: shells, cavatappi, rotini, and mini rigatoni.

What types of cheese are best to make macaroni and cheese with? Loads of cheese types and combinations work really well. We like to use cheddar and gruyere because they are both full of complex flavor. If you prefer a stringier sauce with an impressive cheese pull, we recommend switching the cheddar for mozzarella.

Can I freeze baked macaroni and cheese? Yes, absolutely! Cook the pasta and make the sauce, assemble into the dish. Allow the pasta to cool then cover the casserole dish and ensure it is airtight before popping it in the freezer. When you are ready for macaroni just fully thaw it and follow the baking instructions.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Garlic Breadcrumbs

This baked macaroni and cheese is made with three types of cheese and has a crispy garlic and parmesan breadcrumb topping that will make you reach for seconds.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch, Pasta, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 2.5 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
• 4 tbsp salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 shallot minced
• ¼ cup all purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp mustard powder
• pinch cayenne
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 2 cups extra-old cheddar cheese grated
• 1 cup gruyère cheese grated

Breadcumb Topping

• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tbsp butter room temperature

Instructions

 

• Preheat: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prepare the casserole dish by lightly greasing it with a small amount of butter.
• Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of well salted water to a boil, cook pasta until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and mix in 1 tbsp of butter. You can tell the pasta is al dente when it almost fully cooked, but still has a bit of bite to it. Usually, this means cooking it about 1 minute less than the package directions.
• Sauté: While the pasta is cooking, melt remaining 3 tbsp of butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Make the Cheese Sauce: Whisk flour into the garlic and onion and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Whisk in mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Remove from heat and add cheddar and gruyere cheese and stir until smooth
• Place in Casserole Dish: Gently stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and mix to ensure it is fully combined. Carefully pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
• Make the Breadcrumb Topping: In a bowl, combine panko, garlic and parmesan cheese. Using your fingers, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles course sand. Sprinkle all of the mixture over the macaroni and cheese.
• Bake: Bake the macaroni and cheese in the oven for about 25 minutes, the sauce should be bubbly and the topping should turn golden.
• Serve: Allow the macaroni and cheese to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. I find this macaroni pairs well with a light arugula salad

Keyword Breadcrumb Topping, Cheddar Cheese, Crispy topping, Garlic Parmesan Breadcrumbs, Gruyere Macaroni and Cheese