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Baked Mac & Cheese with Crunchy Crust

This baked mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and finished with a crisp, golden topping for extra texture. It is a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish that fits everything from barbecue dinners to holiday meals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Method
 

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
  4. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  5. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika until smooth.
  8. Add the cooked macaroni and stir until evenly coated.
  9. Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
  10. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter.
  11. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
  12. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
  13. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.