Creamy Mac and Cheese with Buttery Topping

📝 Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) box elbow macaroni
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups white cheese (mozzarella, Gruyère, or Gouda), shredded
• 2 sticks butter, divided
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. 1

   1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl to make your seasoning blend.

2. 2

   2. Add all three cheeses to a large bowl and toss to combine.

3. 3

   3. Cook macaroni in heavily salted water according to package directions, reducing the cooking time by 1 minute. Drain and set aside.

4. 4

   4. While the pasta cooks, melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan. Add half of the seasoning blend and stir. Slowly whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.

5. 5

   5. Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously until warmed. Add 4 cups of the cheese blend and stir until melted. Add the remaining seasoning blend.

6. 6

   6. Add the drained pasta and stir until well combined. The mixture will look very creamy, but don't worry! The pasta will absorb some of that creaminess as it bakes.

7. 7

   7. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Add half of the mac and cheese, sprinkle with 2 cups of the remaining cheese blend, and top with the other half of the mac and cheese.

8. 8

   8. Melt the remaining stick of butter and stir in the crushed Ritz crackers. Spread evenly over the top.

9. 9

   9. Bake for 20–30 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

10. 10

    10. Remove from the oven and let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.

💡 Tips for Success

• Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts best and gives you a smoother, creamier sauce.
• White cheese: Gruyère and Gouda add great flavor, while mozzarella gives you that extra cheesy stretch.
• Pasta: Slightly undercooking the macaroni keeps it from getting too soft after baking.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the cheese sauce and pasta ahead of time, but I recommend adding the Ritz topping right before baking for the best crunch.