Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food that's perfect in any dinner situation! Whether you're serving up a dozen people at a holiday potluck or four at a summer cookout, this easy side dish is always a crowd pleaser.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword baked mac and cheese, skillet mac and cheese
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 35 minutesminutes
Total Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 8
Calories 717kcal
Author Erica
Ingredients
12ounceselbow macaroni
3tablespoonsunsalted butter
Bread Crumb Topping
¾cup panko bread crumbs
2tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted
½teaspoonkosher salt
Four Cheese Sauce
2 ½cupswhole milk
1cupheavy cream
¼cupunsalted butter
¼cupall-purpose flour
1cupgruyere cheeseshredded
1cupgouda cheeseshredded
1cupmozzarella cheeseshredded
1cupcheddar cheeseshredded; divided
2teaspoonskosher salt
½teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil, salting to your tastes. Add dried macaroni and cook 1 minute less than the package directions state for al dente. Drain, return pasta to pot, and toss with butter.
Bread Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, add bread crumbs, melted butter, and salt. Stir to combine, then set aside.
Four Cheese Sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pour the milk and cream into a large measuring cup and whisk to combine. Shred all the cheeses and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of cheddar separately for the top.
Melt butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine, cooking for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
Slowly pour in 2 cups of the milk/cream mixture, whisking constantly until smooth. Slowly add the remaining milk/cream, whisking constantly, until fully combined. Continue cooking, whisking often, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Add 1/2 of the cheeses, stirring until melted and combined. Stir in salt, pepper, and the remaining cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth, 2-3 minutes.
Transfer the cheese sauce to the stock pot with the drained pasta and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the skillet and spread into an even layer. Top with the reserved 1/2 cup of cheddar, then sprinkle on the bread crumb topping.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is bubbling on the edges and bread crumbs are light golden brown. Garnish with parsley for color if desired.