Golden Baked Mac & Cheese

What you’ll need

Let’s do this

1. 1

   Prepare the oven and pasta

   Heat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the teaspoon of salt, and cook the macaroni for 2 minutes less than the package directs. Drain.

2. 2

   Make the sauce base

   While the pasta cooks, melt the 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute without browning it. Gradually whisk in the milk, keeping the mixture smooth.

3. 3

   Thicken and add cheese

   Cook the sauce for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it gently bubbles and lightly coats a spoon. Stir in the mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and paprika. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups of the cheddar a handful at a time until melted.

4. 4

   Assemble

   Fold the drained pasta into the sauce and transfer to the prepared dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar. Mix the panko with the melted tablespoon of butter and scatter over the top.

5. 5

   Bake and settle

   Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges bubble, the surface is golden, and the center reaches 165°F/74°C. Rest for 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle around the pasta.