Description
This cheesy pasta bake is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. With a rich and creamy cheese sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and a crispy golden topping, this dish is the ultimate comfort food. The secret? High-quality cheeses that melt beautifully into a smooth, flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Sauce:
- 11.3 oz short pasta (Note 2)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 8.8 oz grated/shredded hard cheese (Gruyere recommended) (Note 3)
- 1.8 oz Parmesan cheese (Note 4)
Topping:
- 1.8 oz grated mozzarella (Note 5)
- 0.7 oz grated Parmesan (Note 6)
- 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs (optional) (Note 7)
- Dried chives (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Roux: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until a smooth paste forms.
- Create Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Season: Reduce heat to low and mix in mustard powder, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Melt Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in the Gruyere and Parmesan until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Assemble: Pour the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish.
- Make Topping: In a small bowl, mix the mozzarella, Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs (if using), and dried chives (if using). Sprinkle over the pasta.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the pasta bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- (Note 2) Use any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or macaroni.
- (Note 3) Gruyere is recommended for its creamy melt, but you can substitute with another hard cheese.
- (Note 4) Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor.
- (Note 5) Mozzarella creates a gooey topping, but you can use extra Gruyere instead.
- (Note 6) More Parmesan on top enhances the crispiness.
- (Note 7) Panko breadcrumbs add crunch but are optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: per serving
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Mac and cheese bake, baked mac and cheese, cheese pasta casserole, pasta gratin.