Description
Thanksgiving Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy cheese and tender elbow macaroni topped with a crunchy, golden-brown crust. This dish not only satisfies your cravings but also creates lasting memories at holiday gatherings. Easy to prepare and versatile enough to be served as a side or main dish, it’s bound to become a family favorite during Thanksgiving and beyond.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- Optional: 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits or 1 cup steamed broccoli
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot, add elbow macaroni, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour to create a roux, cooking until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth; let thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, mustard powder, and paprika until melted.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Transfer mac and cheese to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 60mg