Bushra Griffith
Macaroni and cheese is a classic dish that can be made even better with the addition of breadcrumbs. This simple yet effective topping adds a delightful crunch and golden crust to the creamy, cheesy pasta. The key to achieving this is to add the breadcrumbs at the right time—sprinkling them on top of the macaroni and cheese before baking ensures the crumbs are toasted to perfection without burning. Homemade breadcrumbs are preferred, as they can be seasoned with herbs, spices, or cheese, and paired with a variety of cheeses like cheddar, gruyere, or parmesan for an indulgent, three-cheese mac and cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pasta | Elbow macaroni |
| Pasta texture | Al dente |
| Sauce | Cheese sauce |
| Cheese sauce ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, cheese |
| Breadcrumbs | Panko, homemade, or crushed butter crackers |
| Breadcrumb topping ingredients | Breadcrumbs, butter, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper |
| Baking temperature | 200C/400F or 350F |
| Baking time | 10-15 minutes or until golden and bubbly |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the cheese sauce
To make a basic cheese sauce, start by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then, blend in flour with a wire whisk and cook for about a minute until the mixture turns golden and bubbly. Next, gradually whisk in milk—it should be cold to prevent the flour from clumping. Continue cooking the mixture for a further 2 minutes before adding the cheese. You can also add heavy cream for a smoother sauce.
It is important to grate your own cheese for the sauce, as pre-shredded cheese is coated and will not melt properly. A combination of gruyere and cheddar will give the sauce depth, with gruyere adding nuttiness and cheddar contributing the classic mac and cheese taste. For a tangier sauce, add a bit of dijon mustard.
If you want to add a crunchy topping to your macaroni and cheese, season your breadcrumbs. You can add parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, or crushed red pepper for extra flavor.
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When to add breadcrumbs
When making macaroni and cheese, breadcrumbs are added to the dish just before it is baked. This is to ensure the breadcrumbs do not burn, as they only need a short time in the oven to turn golden brown and crispy.
Firstly, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions, drain, and return to the pot. Then, pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and stir to coat. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top.
The dish then only needs to be baked for 10-15 minutes at 200C/400F, or 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, until the topping is golden and crispy.
Some recipes suggest adding a drizzle of oil over the breadcrumbs to make them crisp and golden, or adding the breadcrumbs after the dish has been baked, and grilling until browned. However, the majority of recipes suggest adding the breadcrumbs before baking, as this is quicker and more efficient.
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How to make breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are a great way to add texture and flavour to macaroni and cheese. They can be made at home or bought at a store. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice for macaroni and cheese. Here is a guide on how to make breadcrumbs:
There are two main types of breadcrumbs: fresh and dried. Fresh breadcrumbs are made from fresh bread, while dried breadcrumbs are made from dried bread. The type of breadcrumb you make depends on the type of bread you use.
Using Fresh Bread
To make fresh breadcrumbs, start with a loaf of bread that is a day or two old. This will make it easier to crumble. Cut the crusts off the bread and discard them or save them for another use, such as making croutons. Tear the bread into small pieces and place them in a food processor or blender. Pulse the bread pieces until they form crumbs of the desired size. You can also make fresh breadcrumbs without a food processor by grating the bread on a coarse grater.
Using Dried Bread
To make dried breadcrumbs, you can use stale bread or dry fresh bread in the oven. To dry fresh bread, preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 120-150°C/250-300°F. Cut the bread into thin slices and place them on a baking sheet. Bake the bread slices for 15-20 minutes, or until they are dry and crispy. Once the bread is cool, tear it into small pieces and pulse it in a food processor or blender until you have crumbs of the desired size.
Seasoning Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs can be seasoned in a variety of ways to enhance their flavour. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add fresh herbs, such as parsley, to the breadcrumbs before topping your macaroni and cheese.
Adding Breadcrumbs to Macaroni and Cheese
Once you have made or purchased your breadcrumbs, you can add them to your macaroni and cheese. Some recipes call for mixing the breadcrumbs with melted butter before sprinkling them over the macaroni and cheese. The butter helps the breadcrumbs to crisp up and adds flavour. You can also drizzle a little oil over the breadcrumbs before baking to make them golden and crisp. Bake your macaroni and cheese until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
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What type of pasta to use
Macaroni and cheese is a classic dish that can be made with a variety of pasta shapes. While elbow macaroni is the quintessential shape used in traditional mac and cheese, other tubular pasta varieties can also be used. It is important to adjust the cooking time according to the specific pasta shape chosen, as different shapes may have varying cooking durations.
Elbow macaroni is a short, curved tube-shaped pasta that is widely available and commonly used in mac and cheese recipes. It has a ridged surface that helps the cheese sauce adhere to it, creating a creamy and indulgent dish. Elbow macaroni is easy to find in most grocery stores and is a convenient choice for this recipe.
However, if you want to experiment with different shapes, there are several options available. Penne, rigatoni, and ziti are all tubular pastas that can be used as substitutes for elbow macaroni. These shapes have larger tubes and ridges, providing more surface area for the cheese sauce to cling to. They create a hearty and satisfying dish with a slightly different texture compared to elbow macaroni.
Additionally, cavatappi, or spiral-shaped pasta, can be a fun and unique choice for mac and cheese. The twisted shape holds the sauce well, resulting in a creamy and flavourful bite. Cavatappi adds a playful element to the dish while still delivering the classic taste and comfort of mac and cheese.
When choosing the pasta for your mac and cheese, it is important to consider the cooking time and texture you prefer. Different shapes will impact the overall mouthfeel and presentation of the dish. Remember to cook the pasta slightly under al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven while baking. This ensures that your macaroni and cheese has the perfect texture—chewy pasta coated in a rich and creamy sauce.
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How long to bake for
The baking time for macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs depends on the amount of pasta and cheese sauce, the oven temperature, and the desired texture of the dish. Most recipes recommend baking the dish for 10 to 25 minutes at temperatures ranging from 180°C/350°F to 200°C/400°F. However, one recipe suggests baking for up to 45 minutes at 350°F.
It's important to note that the baking time can vary depending on whether the dish is baked straight away or prepared in advance and refrigerated or frozen. If starting from room temperature, 15 minutes at 180°C/350°F followed by an additional 25 minutes without foil should suffice. If starting from the fridge, the dish will take longer to bake.
The desired texture of the dish also plays a role in determining the baking time. For a crisp and golden breadcrumb topping, baking for 10 to 15 minutes at 200°C/400°F should be sufficient. However, baking for too long at this temperature can dry out the sauce, so it is important to keep an eye on the dish and remove it from the oven when the breadcrumbs are golden and the sauce is still rich and gooey.
Additionally, the type of breadcrumbs used can affect the baking time. Panko breadcrumbs, for example, create a crunchier topping due to their larger size, and may require a slightly longer baking time compared to regular breadcrumbs.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that the baking time can be adjusted to personal preference. Some people prefer their macaroni and cheese with a crunchy, buttery top, while others may prefer a softer, gooey texture. Adjusting the baking time up or down by a few minutes can make a significant difference in the final texture of the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any bread to make breadcrumbs, but white or whole grain bread slices are recommended. Panko breadcrumbs are also a popular choice.
You should add the breadcrumbs to your macaroni and cheese before putting it in the oven. If you add them at the beginning, they might burn.
Bake your macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs for 10-20 minutes at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The breadcrumbs should be golden brown when finished.
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