Greetings and Happy Monday! It’s been a BUSY day trying to catch up on yard work before the big storm hits. But yesterday for Father’s Day Brunch I put a new twist on my macaroni and cheese recipe and thought I’d share since it was such a hit! It’s Panko crusted macaroni and cheese!
I’ve shared before my favorite Macaroni and Cheese recipe.. It is a family favorite, but we’ve been trying to cut down on carbs so I haven’t made it lately. But Father’s Day calls for special dishes and breaking a few little rules. I did tweak the recipe a bit. I played with a different mix of cheeses and added an additional cup of cheese. It was so creamy and the Japanese bread crumbs on top added some great flavor and crunch. Give this new twist on an old favorite a try and see if your family loves it as well as mine!
Bradford’s Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
1 box Dreamfield’s elbow macaroni- 13.25 oz (our favorite pasta)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups milk (we used 1% but you can use whole milk)
2 cups Cheddar Blend Cheese (8 ounces)
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients for the topping:
1/2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
2 tablespoons butter
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add entire package elbow macaroni and return to a rapid boil, uncovered and stirring frequently for about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside. Toss with olive oil.
For the Sauce:
Melt butter in medium sauce pan. . Add flour and salt. Blend in milk and cook, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheddar blend and parmesan cheese to the milk mixture. Stir until melted.
Combine macaroni and cheese sauce. Mix well.
Pour into greased 2 quart baking dish.
Add remainder of cheese on top.
For the topping:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan. Add 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs and cook about 3-4 minutes until browned. Sprinkle on top of blended macaroni and cheese sauce.
Bake in oven 20-25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Serves 4-6 people. Refrigerate leftovers. Enjoy!
NOTE: My son said we could easily double the Panko bread crumb and butter mixture on top for extra crunch!
Give this one a try. I can bet your family will love it as well as mine! The recipe says it serves 4-6 people, but I’m guessing more! Hope you have a great evening! Stay safe in the storms. xoxo Dell
