Season with 1 tsp salt (or to taste) and pepper to taste. While whisking slowly pour in warmed milk and half and half. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly 1 1/2 minutes. Make roux and sauce: In a large saucepan or medium pot melt remaining 5 Tbsp butter over medium heat.If it’s done early before sauce toss with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick together. Cook macaroni just to al dente according to package instructions. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.Add panko and spread even, let toast, tossing frequently until golden brown. Toast panko: Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.Spray a 13 by 9 or 12 by 8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat oven, prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 325 degrees.Ingredients Needed for Baked Macaroni and Cheese: I’m always looking for a reason to make this over-the-top delicious macaroni and cheese! That crisp textural contrast perfectly compliments the tender noodles and creamy sauce.Īdd this to your holiday menu everyone will love it! And while you’re at it you may as well do a test run this weekend. This just wouldn’t be the same with out it. This sauce is rich!Īnd don’t even get me started on that panko topping. Then we up the decadence by also adding a fair amount of butter and some half and half to the recipe.

The combination of extra sharp cheddar and Gruyere makes the best macaroni and cheese! Sure it’s pricey to buy the imported Gruyere cheese but it’s worth it. You just can’t go wrong with an extra saucy, classic side dish like this. This is my family’s favorite macaroni and cheese! I’ve made it several times at holidays and it’s usually the top thing that gets the most compliments and repeat requests. It’s one of the ultimate side dish recipes! Baked Mac and Cheese – it’s amazingly cheesy, deliciously comforting and perfect for holidays and weekends! Macaroni noodles are cooked to al dente then tossed with a luxuriously creamy cheddar and gruyere sauce, then topped with crispy toasted panko and oven baked.

Best ever mac and cheese baked