Crispy-Top Baked Mac & Cheese

Name: Crispy-Top Baked Mac & Cheese
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American comfort
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 5 tbsp butter, divided; 3 cups milk; 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar; 4 oz cream cheese; ¾ cup panko; 1 lb broccoli, for roasting; ¼ cup flour; 1 tsp dry mustard; ½ tsp paprika; salt; pepper

DinnerAmerican comfort45 minServes 6865 kcal38 g protein

Photo: Luigi Novi · CC BY 3.0 · source

Elbows in a sharp, extra-creamy cheddar sauce baked under buttery panko until golden and crunchy. Serve with roasted broccoli for a full meal.

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Ingredients

1 lb elbow macaroni
5 tbsp butter, divided
3 cups milk
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar
4 oz cream cheese
¾ cup panko
1 lb broccoli, for roasting

From your pantry: ¼ cup flour, 1 tsp dry mustard, ½ tsp paprika, salt, pepper.

Instructions

Heat the oven to 375°F. Boil the macaroni 2 minutes short of al dente and drain.
Melt 4 tbsp butter, whisk in the flour and mustard for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the milk. Simmer, whisking, until it coats a spoon, 5 minutes.
Off the heat, stir in the cream cheese and 3½ cups cheddar until smooth. Season well with salt and pepper and fold in the pasta.
Spread in a baking dish, top with the remaining cheddar and the panko tossed with 1 tbsp melted butter and the paprika.
Bake 20 minutes until golden. Roast the broccoli alongside, tossed with oil and salt.

Tip: Shred your own cheddar from a block if you can. Bagged cheese has anti-caking powder that makes the sauce grainy.