Ultimate Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   **Cook the Pasta**: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. 2

   **Make the Cheese Sauce**:

3. 3

   In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

4. 4

   Stir in the flour, whisking constantly for about 1-2 minutes until it’s golden and bubbly (this is your roux).

5. 5

   Gradually add the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken (about 5 minutes).

6. 6

   Lower the heat and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.

7. 7

   Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar and all the Gruyère cheese. Stir continuously until melted and smooth.

8. 8

   **Combine Garlic and Pasta**: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until all the pasta is generously coated.

9. 9

   **Prepare for Baking**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish.

10. 10

    **Breadcrumb Topping**: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil and the remaining cheddar cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.

11. 11

    **Bake**: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

12. 12

    **Serve**: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve alongside your Cajun BBQ pulled chicken!