Baked Mac and Cheese

This is creamy, comforting, and ready in under an hour—the kind of dish that gets everyone at the table excited, from kids to grown-ups who secretly never outgrow their mac and cheese phase.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2½ cups whole milk
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta one minute under the package time so it stays slightly firm, then drain.
2. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot, whisk in the flour, and cook for about a minute until golden.
3. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps, then simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
4. Remove from heat, stir in the cheese, salt, and pepper until melted and silky.
5. Fold in the cooked pasta until every piece is coated in that glorious sauce.
6. Pour into a buttered baking dish. Toss the panko with melted butter and scatter over the top.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges.

Full recipe at Budget Bytes →

Chef's tip: Don't skip cooking the pasta slightly under time—it'll continue softening in the oven and won't turn mushy.