Creating The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is a straightforward process if you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, creating a roux.
4. Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add Seasonings: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
6. Incorporate Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce, stirring until well coated.
8. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Add Topping (Optional): If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for added crunch.
10. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
11. Cool and Serve: Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

These steps will guide you in creating this incredible dish effortlessly.