White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
This luxurious mac and cheese elevates comfort food to gourmet status with its silky cream cheese base and sharp white cheddar. The golden breadcrumb topping adds the perfect textural contrast to the creamy pasta beneath, creating an irresistible dish that's both sophisticated and satisfying.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 740kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter melted, plus more for buttering dishes
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 lb white cheddar cheese grated
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter 4 (14-ounce) ovenproof dishes.
- Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, breadcrumbs, and ¼ cup of the grated cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring milk to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add cream cheese cut into cubes. Stir until melted, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually stir in the remaining cheddar cheese until completely melted, about 5 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce along with salt and pepper. Toss to combine thoroughly.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the prepared dishes.
- Bake until bubbly, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
Notes
For best melting results, grate cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese
Cut cream cheese into small cubes for faster, smoother melting
Don't let the milk boil vigorously as it may scorch or curdle
This recipe can be made in one large 2-quart casserole dish instead of individual portions
Make-ahead tip: Assemble completely and refrigerate up to 1 day before baking, adding 5-10 extra minutes to cooking time
Substitute panko breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs for extra crunch
Add a pinch of nutmeg or dry mustard powder to enhance the cheese flavors
Nutrition
Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 1156mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g