Easy Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs

The best baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs is all about balancing a creamy cheese sauce with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Use real cheese, not processed cheese products, and bake until the top is golden and bubbly. The breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch that complements the creamy pasta. The key is to use a blend of cheeses for depth of flavor and to bake until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. This creates the perfect texture contrast between the creamy pasta and the crispy topping.

What makes the best baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs

The secret to the best baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs is all about the balance of creamy cheese sauce and the crunch of the breadcrumbs. The sauce should be rich and creamy, but not so thick that it overpowers the pasta. The breadcrumbs should be golden and crispy, adding a delightful crunch to the dish. The best baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs is made with real cheese, not processed cheese products, and is baked until the top is golden and bubbly. The breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch that complements the creamy pasta. The key is to use a blend of cheeses for depth of flavor and to bake until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. This creates the perfect texture contrast between the creamy pasta and the crispy topping.

Ingredients for baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs

To make the best baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni or pasta of your choice
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk, warmed
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon DIO
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire

Step-by-step: how to make baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs

Follow these simple steps to make the best baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs. This recipe serves 4-6 people and takes about 45 minutes to prepare and bake.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Make the cheese sauce

In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 2-3 minutes until it forms a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Add 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Combine pasta and sauce

Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 4: Prepare the breadcrumb topping

In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.

Step 5: Bake until golden and bubbly

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Pro tips for the crispiest breadcrumb topping

Perfecting the breadcrumb topping is all about the details. Here are the secrets to achieving the crispiest, most flavorful topping for your baked mac and cheese.

Tip 1: Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch

Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and flakier than regular breadcrumbs, which helps them crisp up better in the oven. They also absorb less moisture from the sauce, so they stay crispier longer.

Tip 2: Toss the breadcrumbs in melted butter and seasoning

Before adding the breadcrumbs to the top of your mac and cheese, toss them in a little melted butter and your favorite seasonings. This helps them brown more evenly and adds extra flavor.

Tip 3: Don't overcrowd the pan

Spread the breadcrumbs in a single layer on top of the mac and cheese. If they're too thick, they won't crisp up properly. You want them to be in a thin, even layer so they can get crispy all the way through.

Tip 4: Finish under the broiler for extra crunch

Once the mac and cheese is baked and bubbly, pop it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to get the breadcrumbs extra crispy. Watch it closely so they don't burn.

How to store and reheat leftover baked mac and cheese

Leftover baked mac and cheese can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Here's how to keep it fresh and reheat it so it tastes just as good as the first serving.

Storing leftover baked mac and cheese

Let the mac and cheese cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish and add a splash of milk to keep it creamy. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. For the microwave, add a splash of milk and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until hot and creamy. You can also reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk over low heat, stirring constantly until warmed through.