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Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 147 reviews

This Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese is a luscious, cheesy pasta dish elevated with a crispy Panko breadcrumb topping and the rich flavors of garlic and Parmesan. Perfectly creamy inside with a golden brown crust on top, it’s a comforting classic made from scratch that feeds a crowd, ideal for a cozy family dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound dry weight pasta (elbow, macaroni, cellentani, or any other pasta)

Topping

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
  • 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (divided)

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (plain flour)
  • 4 1/2 cups milk (divided, skim used but 2% or full fat fine)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or corn flour)
  • 1 pinch salt (to season)
  • 1 pinch pepper (to season)
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder (or vegetable stock powder)
  • 3/4 cup low fat grated cheddar cheese
  • 6 ounces low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to packet instructions until just al dente to avoid overcooking. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking, then set aside.
  2. Preheat Oven Broiler: Set your oven grill or broiler to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for finishing the dish with a crispy topping.
  3. Prepare Crispy Topping: In a large ovenproof pan or skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add Panko breadcrumbs and stir to evenly coat. Cook until golden brown and transfer to a bowl to set aside.
  4. Make Sauce – Step 1: Using the same pan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Add crushed garlic and sauté just until fragrant, about 1 minute, to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
  5. Make Sauce – Step 2: Whisk in flour and cook while stirring continously for at least 2 minutes to make a roux. Lower heat to low and gradually whisk in 4 cups of milk, adding about 1/4 cup at a time until smooth. Bring mixture to a boil until it begins to thicken.
  6. Thicken Sauce: In a small jug, combine cornstarch with remaining 1/2 cup milk and whisk until smooth. Stir this mixture into the sauce, which will thicken it further. Season with salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon powder to enhance flavor.
  7. Add Cheeses: Remove pan from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan, and sliced mozzarella until fully melted and smooth for a creamy cheese sauce.
  8. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta thoroughly in the cheese sauce ensuring every piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
  9. Assemble and Broil: Top the pasta with the golden Panko breadcrumbs and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Broil or grill in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  10. Serve: Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before serving to allow the sauce to set for perfect texture.

Notes

  • Use pasta shapes that hold sauce well, such as elbow macaroni or cellentani.
  • For a richer dish, full fat milk can be used instead of skim milk.
  • Do not overcook the pasta in the boiling step to prevent mushy mac and cheese.
  • Broiling at the end creates a crunchy, flavorful topping contrasting with the creamy interior.
  • Chicken bouillon powder adds umami; use vegetable stock powder for a vegetarian option.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated and reheat nicely with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.

Keywords: garlic parmesan mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, Panko breadcrumb topping

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/garlic-parmesan-mac-and-cheese-recipe/