Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 21A couple years ago I was on the hunt for a really great mac and cheese recipe. The first thing I did was do what most people do, search Google. It brought up a lot of recipes that touted “the best mac and cheese recipe ever” title. I didn’t know where to begin. All of them looked great and I couldn’t narrow the search results down far enough to the point where I wouldn’t be making and eating mac and cheese for weeks. I then surveyed my former coworkers. That’s where I was introduced to this beauty of a dish. After scanning the ingredients and seeing that it used 3 different cheese, crunchy panko breadcrumbs and penne pasta (my absolute fav!), I knew this would be a serious contender. My former coworker was right – this is by far the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had. I’ve made it three or four times since discovering, and it’s a big crowd pleaser. I’m confident you will feel the same way.

You will need:

6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
3 slices bacon, diced
1 cup of finely chopped yellow onion
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
3 cups coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
4 oz cream cheese
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 pound Penne

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 2

In a deep pot or skillet, melt 1 tbsp of butter over medium heat.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 4

Place bacon in skillet and cook until crisp.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 3

Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and place on some paper towels.

Leave bacon grease in the pan (no more than 3 tbsp of grease – remove rest if you have more)

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 5

Add your onions and sautΓ© until tender, about 5 minutes or so.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 6

Next, add your red pepper flakes and garlic.

Saute for about 1 minute.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 7

Next, melt 2 tbsp of butter.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 8

Once the butter is melted, mix in your flour.

Your mixture should thicken slightly.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 10

Slowly whisk in your whole milk.

Bring mixture up to a simmer.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 11

Simmer until the mixture can coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.

Ensure you stir frequently so your milk does not burn.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 15

Remove the mixuture from heat and add 2-1/4 cups of your sharp cheddar cheese, all your Parmesan cheese and all the cream cheese.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 14

Add your bacon back to your delicious cheese sauce.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 13

How amazing does this look?!

Cover the sauce to keep warm and cook your pasta.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 9

Cook penne in boiling salted water until very al dente.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 17

Drain and add to your cheese sauce.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 18

Mix well.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 19

Place your penne and cheese into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Top with your remaining sharp cheddar cheese.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 12

In a non-stick pan, melt 3 tbsp of butter over medium heat.

Add your panko breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Keep stirring, you don’t want your breadcrumbs to burn.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 16

Remove from heat and add all your chopped parsley.

Stir well to incorporate.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 20

Top your mac and cheese mixture with the panko parsley breadcrumbs.

Bake in a 375 degree fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Remove from oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 22

Cheesy, creamy and rich with the crunchy panko crumb top.

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 23

This recipe is so simple. Why would you ever do boxed mac and cheese again?

Claudia's Cookbook - Mac and Cheese 24

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: Lottie + Doof

The Best Mac and Cheese
Serves 4
The best mac and cheese recipe in the entire world.
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
1 hr
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  2. 3 slices bacon, diced
  3. 1 cup of finely chopped yellow onion
  4. 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  5. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  6. 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  7. 3 cups whole milk
  8. 3 cups coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  9. 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  10. 4 oz cream cheese
  11. 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  12. 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  13. 1 pound Penne
Instructions
  1. In a deep pot or skillet, melt 1 tbsp of butter over medium heat.
  2. Place bacon in skillet and cook until crisp.
  3. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and place on some paper towels. Leave bacon grease in the pan (no more than 3 tbsp of grease – remove rest if you have more).
  4. Add your onions and sautΓ© until tender, about 5 minutes or so.
  5. Add your red pepper flakes and garlic. Saute for about 1 minute.
  6. Next, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Once the butter is melted, mix in your flour. Your mixture should thicken slightly.
  7. Slowly whisk in your whole milk. Bring mixture up to a simmer. Simmer until the mixture can coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Ensure you stir frequently so your milk does not burn.
  8. Remove the mixture from heat and add 2-1/4 cups of your sharp cheddar cheese, all your Parmesan cheese and all the cream cheese.
  9. Add your bacon back to your cheese sauce. Cover the sauce to keep warm and cook your pasta.
  10. Cook penne in boiling salted water until very al dente. Drain and add to your cheese sauce. Mix well.
  11. Place your penne and cheese into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Top with your remaining sharp cheddar cheese.
  12. In a non-stick pan, melt 3 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add your panko breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Keep stirring, you don’t want your breadcrumbs to burn. Remove from heat and add all your chopped parsley. Stir well to incorporate.
  13. Top your mac and cheese mixture with the panko parsley breadcrumbs.
  14. Bake in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Adapted from Lootie + Doof
Adapted from Lootie + Doof
Claudia's Cookbook http://www.claudiascookbook.com/

17 Comments on The Best Mac and Cheese

  1. Kate
    February 11, 2013 at 1:36 PM (11 years ago)

    Wow, that is all i can say. I have spread the cheesy love to both Jaz and Steph πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      February 13, 2013 at 3:27 AM (11 years ago)

      Thanks for sharing the love Kate! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Lori
    February 13, 2013 at 1:27 PM (11 years ago)

    Bacon makes everything fabulous. Great looking Mac n cheese!

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      February 14, 2013 at 1:46 AM (11 years ago)

      Thanks Lori!! Bacon does make everything so much better πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Nghia Tran
    February 21, 2013 at 4:24 AM (11 years ago)

    That looks so yummy! I love your blog!

    Your biggest fan πŸ™‚

    Nghia

    Reply
  4. Tina
    April 6, 2013 at 4:36 PM (11 years ago)

    I have been making Mac and Cheese for many years and today I decided to try this recipe. Wow, it was delicious. Best Mac and Cheese ever!!!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      April 8, 2013 at 4:54 PM (11 years ago)

      So happy you liked the recipe Tina!! There are so many Mac and Cheese recipes out there but I love this one the best. Thanks for your comments!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Sharon Pike
    May 27, 2013 at 10:10 PM (11 years ago)

    It’s Memorial Day and the weather is aweful,so much for cold salads,I made this,it was a hit!

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      June 1, 2013 at 3:02 AM (11 years ago)

      So glad you liked it Sharon! The weather here has been terrible too. Makes me want to cook comfort food πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. MiMi
    December 31, 2013 at 5:54 AM (10 years ago)

    Making this now. Looked and tasted delicious as I prepared it. Can’t wait to share it with my family for New Years! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      January 2, 2014 at 2:51 PM (10 years ago)

      So happy you enjoyed the Mac and Cheese Mimi!! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year to you and your family! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Nancy
    March 7, 2015 at 2:31 PM (9 years ago)

    I made this without the bacon, using Alittle olive oil with the butter for the extra fat. It turned out great. I love the creaminess from adding the cream cheese, my go to mac and cheese recipe from now on, loved it!

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      March 14, 2015 at 2:58 PM (9 years ago)

      Those are great modifications Nancy! Thanks for sharing and happy you like the recipe!

      Reply
  8. Marci Collins
    March 13, 2016 at 10:55 AM (8 years ago)

    I just tried this recipe and it was wonderful! My go to dish from here on in. Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Kate
    November 16, 2020 at 9:52 AM (3 years ago)

    I’ve made this recipe multiple times, it’s my go-to mac and cheese! Can you make any part of this ahead of time (such as the cheese sauce) or make completely ahead of time and warm up in the oven? I’m just looking to cut down on how much I have to make in the kitchen at the same time for a large meal. Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a reply to Claudia's Cookbook Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *






This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.