{"id":7616,"date":"2025-01-03T14:10:54","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T14:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/?p=7616"},"modified":"2025-01-03T14:10:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T14:10:54","slug":"cheesy-mac-and-cheese-with-panko-crust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/?p=7616","title":{"rendered":"Cheesy Mac and Cheese with Panko Crust"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with white cheddar, fontina, gruyere, and parmesan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs, this dish is a perfect balance of gooey cheese and crunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Preparation Time<\/strong>: 10 minutes<br><strong>Cook Time<\/strong>: 20 minutes<br><strong>Total Time<\/strong>: 30 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ingredients<\/strong><br><strong>Cheese Sauce<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1 cup (100g) white cheddar cheese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 cup (100g) fontina cheese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 cups (200g) gruyere cheese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 cup (120g) parmesan or pecorino cheese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 tsp salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 tsp Dijon powder or 1 tsp dijon mustard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 tsp onion powder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 tsp garlic powder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/8 tsp cayenne pepper<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/4 tsp nutmeg<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5 tbsp butter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4 tbsp flour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 cup (240 ml) milk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 cup additional milk for smoothness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pasta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>12oz (350g) elbow macaroni<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Topping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3\/4 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 tsp salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 tsp garlic powder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 tbsp butter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cook the macaroni for 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions to achieve al dente.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a medium pan, melt 5 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 4 tbsp flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gradually add 1 cup of milk, whisking until smooth. Slowly add the rest of the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture is free of lumps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stir in Dijon powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and nutmeg. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn off the heat and add the cheeses. Stir until just combined\u2014cheese doesn\u2019t need to fully melt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drain the cooked pasta and add 1\/2 tbsp butter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir to combine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the skillet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with salt, garlic powder, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bake at 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Serving Suggestions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Serve with a fresh green salad for a lighter meal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pair with a side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add cooked chicken, bacon, or sausage for extra protein.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serve with garlic bread for the perfect comfort food experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Top with extra grated cheese or herbs like parsley for extra flavor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cooking Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For a smoother cheese sauce, make sure to whisk the mixture continuously when adding the milk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a mix of cheeses for a richer flavor profile.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the sauce thickens too much, add a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For extra creaminess, add a little cream cheese to the sauce.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you want a crispier top, broil the mac and cheese for a minute or two at the end.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nutritional Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High in protein from the cheese and pasta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offers a good amount of calcium and vitamin A from the cheese.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The whole wheat pasta variation can add fiber to the dish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The added spices like cayenne and mustard may have metabolism-boosting properties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dietary Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vegetarian<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can be made gluten-free with gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can be made dairy-free with vegan cheese and butter substitutes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nutritional Facts (per serving)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Calories: 480<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protein: 22g<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbs: 45g<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fat: 24g<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fiber: 2g<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sodium: 680mg<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calcium: 350mg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Storage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Store leftovers in an\u00a0airtight container\u00a0in the\u00a0refrigerator\u00a0for up to 3-4 days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of milk to regain creaminess.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For best results, avoid freezing the dish as the cheese sauce may separate upon thawing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why You\u2019ll Love This Recipe<\/strong><br>This mac and cheese recipe is a comfort food classic, but with a twist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The combination of different cheeses creates a rich, velvety sauce that perfectly coats each piece of pasta. The panko topping adds a satisfying crunch that balances the creamy texture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, it\u2019s quick and easy to make\u2014perfect for a weeknight dinner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><br>This mac and cheese recipe is a crowd-pleaser that\u2019s perfect for any occasion. The rich, creamy cheese sauce and crunchy panko topping make it irresistible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re serving it for a family dinner or bringing it to a potluck, it\u2019s sure to be a hit. Plus, you can easily customize it to suit your tastes!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with white cheddar, fontina, gruyere, and parmesan. Topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs, this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recipe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7616"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7618,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7616\/revisions\/7618"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garden-tricks.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}