Old Fashioned Mac & Cheese With Breadcrumbs

This Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs is rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy goodness! Made with a homemade cheese sauce and topped with buttery bread crumbs, this baked macaroni and cheese is a comforting family favorite. Serve it as a side dish or enjoy it as a hearty main course with a simple salad.

this recipe!

Try my white cheddar mac and cheese and crockpot mac and cheese next!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich and creamy: A homemade cheese sauce coats every bite of pasta for the ultimate comfort food.
• Buttery breadcrumb topping: Bakes to a golden finish with a delicious contrast to the creamy macaroni.
• Family favorite: Perfect for Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or an easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 453g/1lb. Cavatappi pasta
• 5 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups medium or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• Breadcrumb topping:
• 1 and 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
• 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
• Salt & pepper to taste

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook cavatappi pasta in boiling water until al dente following package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.  In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook a few minutes until tender.
4. Whisk in flour, continue whisking for two minutes. (mixture will thicken)
5. Gradually add in milk and cream, whisking constantly after each addition.
6. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Continue to simmer until thickened. This should take approximately 1 and 1/2 to two minutes. 
8. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 2 and 1/4 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese 3/4 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (reserving the remaining cheese for the top) and stir until sauce is thick and creamy.
9. Stir in cooked pasta, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
10. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (3/4 cup Cheddar and 1/4 cup Gruyere)
11. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.  Stir in breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
12. Bake in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly. 

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Cavatappi Mac and Cheese Recipe

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5 from 7 reviews

• Author: Sandra Flegg
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings

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Description

This Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs is rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy goodness! Made with a homemade cheese sauce and topped with buttery bread crumbs, this baked macaroni and cheese is a comforting family favorite. Serve it as a side dish or enjoy it as a hearty main course with a simple salad.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 453g/1lb. Cavatappi pasta
• 5 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups medium or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• Breadcrumb topping:
• 1 and 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
• 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook cavatappi pasta in boiling water until al dente following package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.  In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook a few minutes until tender.
4. Whisk in flour, continue whisking for two minutes. (mixture will thicken)
5. Gradually add in milk and cream, whisking constantly after each addition.
6. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Continue to simmer until thickened. This should take approximately 1 and 1/2 to two minutes. 
8. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 2 and 1/4 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese 3/4 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (reserving the remaining cheese for the top) and stir until sauce is thick and creamy.
9. Stir in cooked pasta, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
10. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (3/4 cup Cheddar and 1/4 cup Gruyere)
11. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.  Stir in breadcrumbs.
12. Sprinkled over pasta mixture.
13. Bake in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly. 

Notes

Storage instructions: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in covered airtight container for up to 4 days. 

Reheat in microwave on microwave-safe plate until heated throughout.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Pasta
• Method: Oven Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 helping
• Calories: 631
• Sugar: 6.2 g
• Sodium: 1172.1 mg
• Fat: 43.4 g
• Saturated Fat: 23.6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1.7 g
• Protein: 32.2 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg