The Ultimate Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese
Expert Excerpt: Master the art of the perfect cheese pull with our viral Baked Mac & Cheese. Featuring a velvety three-cheese sauce and a golden Panko crust, this recipe is the gold standard for American comfort food.
Why This Recipe Works
There is Mac & Cheese, and then there is Samply Eats Mac & Cheese. We’ve spent months perfecting the ratio of heavy cream to sharp cheddar to ensure your sauce never breaks and remains silky smooth even after baking. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a centerpiece that brings the whole family to the table.
🛒 Ingredients
- 🧀 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
- 🧈 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 🌾 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
- 🥛 3 cups Whole Milk
- 🥛 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 🧀 4 cups Sharp Cheddar (grated)
- 🧀 2 cups Gruyere or Mozzarella
- 🧄 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 🍞 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
👩🍳 Cooking Steps
- Preheat: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water. Drain 2 minutes before it’s fully cooked (Al Dente).
- The Roux: Melt butter in a large pot. Whisk in flour for 2 mins until golden and bubbly.
- The Sauce: Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Simmer until it thickens enough to coat a spoon.
- Cheese: Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of Cheddar and all the Gruyere until silky.
- Bake: Fold in pasta. Pour into dish. Top with remaining cheese and Panko mixed with melted butter.
- Finish: Bake for 20 mins until the top is crispy and the sauce is bubbling.
Did you catch the cheese pull? ✨
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