– 1 pound elbow macaroni
– 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 4 cups whole milk
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon mustard powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil (for topping)
Follow these simple steps to create your Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for about 2 minutes until golden.
4. Add Milk: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Season the Sauce: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
6. Add Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce. Mix well to ensure all pasta is coated.
8. Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
9. Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and olive oil. Mix well and sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
10. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
11. Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
These steps will guide you in creating this incredible dish effortlessly.