🧀 Baked Macaroni & Cheese (Creamy + Cheesy)
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Pasta
2 cups elbow macaroni
Salt (for boiling water)
Cheese Sauce
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (whole milk = extra creamy)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup mozzarella cheese
½ cup parmesan cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Topping (optional but 🔥)
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 tbsp melted butter
Extra cheese for the top
👩🍳 How to Make It
1️⃣ Cook the pasta
Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Make the cheese sauce
Melt butter in a pan on medium heat
Add flour and whisk for 1 minute
Slowly pour in milk, whisking until smooth and thick
Add cheeses, garlic powder, pepper, and salt
Stir until melted and creamy
3️⃣ Mix it up
Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until every noodle is coated 😍
4️⃣ Bake
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
Transfer to a baking dish
Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, sprinkle on top + extra cheese
Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden
5️⃣ Rest & devour
Let it cool 5 minutes (hardest part), then serve!
🔥 Easy Upgrades (optional)
Extra cheesy: Add cream cheese or more cheddar
Crunchy top: Add crushed crackers or cornflakes
Protein: Add cooked chicken or beef
Spicy: A pinch of chili flakes or hot sauce
If you want, I can also give you:
a no-oven version,
a super-cheesy stretch version, or
a one-pot lazy-day version 😏
