The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

**The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Classic**

There’s something universally comforting about a bowl of creamy, cheesy mac and cheese, but when you bake it, you take this classic dish to a whole new level. **The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese** is the ultimate comfort food—cheesy, creamy, and with a perfectly golden, crispy top that gives it just the right balance of textures. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner, a holiday feast, or a gathering with friends, this mac and cheese will be a crowd-pleaser every time.

While there are many variations of mac and cheese, the homemade version stands out. You get to control the ingredients, and there’s nothing quite like the richness of a freshly made cheese sauce, combined with al dente pasta, all baked to perfection. This recipe features a creamy cheese sauce made with a blend of cheddar and Gruyère, offering the perfect balance of sharpness and creaminess.

Let’s dive into why this is *the best* homemade baked mac and cheese and how you can make it yourself!

### **Why You’ll Love The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese**

1. **Perfect Balance of Creamy and Crispy**: The beauty of baked mac and cheese is in the texture. The pasta is coated in a creamy cheese sauce, but when it’s baked, the top gets a crispy, golden-brown layer that adds extra flavor and a satisfying crunch.

2. **Made from Scratch**: Homemade mac and cheese made from scratch is far superior to the boxed stuff. The cheese sauce is made fresh, meaning it’s rich, smooth, and full of flavor—no artificial powder here!

3. **Customizable to Your Taste**: This recipe is a fantastic base, but you can easily customize it. Add extra cheese, throw in some spices, or even mix in ingredients like bacon, sautéed onions, or breadcrumbs for a personal touch.

4. **Great for Meal Prep**: This mac and cheese holds up well in the fridge and even gets better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. You can easily make it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to serve.

### **Recipe for The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese**

#### **Ingredients:**

– **For the Pasta:**
– 1 lb elbow macaroni (or your preferred pasta)
– Salt, for pasta water

– **For the Cheese Sauce:**
– 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or a cheese of your choice like mozzarella or fontina)
– 2 cups whole milk
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for a little extra depth of flavor)
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– Salt and pepper, to taste

– **For the Topping:**
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (for crunch)
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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