Name: Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American

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Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Place the topping ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Cook pasta in salted water* for about 3 minutes less than package directions call for, until al dente, reserving half a cup of the pasta water.

In a large pot melt the butter and then add the flour, whisking continuously over low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes to make a roux.

Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce is gently bubbling and starting to thicken.

Add reserved pasta water and cheddar cheese and whisk until melted.

Stir in the pasta.

Transfer to a greased 9"x13" baking dish.**

Sprinkle topping on macaroni and cheese.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until top is golden and bubbling.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Your Pasta Slightly 🍝
Before cooking, lightly toast the dry elbow macaroni in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes to enhance its nutty flavor and improve texture absorption of the cheese sauce.
Make a Proper Béchamel Base 🧈
Create a smooth roux by cooking flour and butter together for 1-2 minutes before adding milk slowly while whisking constantly to avoid lumps and ensure a silky sauce.
Blend Your Cheeses Strategically 🧀
Reserve some sharp cheddar for the topping while mixing milder cheddar into the sauce to balance flavor—this prevents the sauce from becoming overpowering while adding complexity.
Undercook Pasta by One Minute ⏱️
Remove pasta when it's just shy of al dente since it will continue cooking when baked, resulting in creamy rather than mushy final texture.
Brown the Panko Topping Separately 🎯
Toast panko breadcrumbs in melted butter in a skillet for 2-3 minutes before sprinkling on top to achieve maximum crunch and golden color without drying out the dish underneath.