Description
Thanksgiving Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth and joy to your holiday table. This creamy, cheesy dish envelops al dente elbow macaroni in a rich, velvety cheese sauce topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Perfect for family gatherings, it’s a nostalgic recipe that evokes laughter and shared memories. With its irresistible flavor and customizable options, this mac and cheese will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour to create a roux; cook until golden (about 1 minute).
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth, cooking until thickened (5-7 minutes). Stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
- Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce until well coated. Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 60mg