This is a super easy recipe with pantry ingredients that is easy, quick and delicious! Topped with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and baked till golden brown, this dish is the perfect comfort dinner or served as a side dish.
Ingredients:
Elbow macaroni 150 g
Extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp
Butter 2 Tbsp
All purpose flour 25 g
Milk 240 ml (1 cup)
Shredded cheese 2 cups (I used white and red cheddar)
Salt & pepper to taste
Bacon 5 slices, chopped
Panko topping:
Panko bread crumbs 1/2 cup
Melted butter 1 Tbsp
Paprika 1/4 tsp
Preheat oven to 175C. Lightly grease a 1L (or 1 quart) baking dish and set aside.
Boil macaroni one minute shy of al dente. Drain, add olive oil and stir to coat.
Prepare cheese sauce - In a non-stick pan or saucepan, melt butter.
Whisk in flour till bubbly and golden then add milk and continue whisking till nice and smooth.
Add cheese then salt and pepper to taste and continue whisking till smooth and creamy.
Stir in boiled macaroni and mix till well coated with the cheese sauce.
Pour into prepared baking dish.
Prepare panko topping - In a small bowl, mix all the panko topping ingredients together.
Sprinkle all over the mac and cheese and bake for 30 mins till golden brown.
Fry bacon. Top baked mac and cheese with the bacon and serve immediately.
Mac and Cheese - the comfort food of all ages!