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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UMKC chapter.

Let’s be real; pasta will always taste good, but that doesn’t stop me from having a favorite––mac & cheese. It is just one of those recipes that can be made in so many different ways and always taste good. For instance, when you bake mac & cheese, it is glorious. The topping has to be the best part of baked mac & cheese. Bread crumbs, crackers, panko or all of the above, anything covered in a special butter mix makes this recipe taste amazing.

 

The Ingredients

1 box of elbow macaroni (or whatever pasta you like)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

6 tbsp unsalted butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

1 block of cream cheese

1 cup of sour cream

6 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded (measure with your heart if you want more)

 

Topping Ingredients

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs/crackers/panko crumbs

4 tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp paprika 

Salt and pepper to taste

 

How to Make

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Coat a large pyrex with butter and set it aside.

  2. Combine your shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set it aside.

  3. Cook your pasta of choice according to the package instructions. Remove from heat, drain and place in a large bowl.

  4. Drizzle your pasta with olive oil and stir to coat. Set aside to cool while preparing your cheese sauce.

  5. Melt butter and cream cheese in a saucepan. Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and sour cream until nice and smooth. 

  6. Add the shredded cheese, whisk until smooth, and your sauce should be nice and thick.

  7. Stir in the pasta and make sure it is fully coated with the cheese sauce.

  8. Pour the mac & cheese into the prepared baking dish.

  9. Sprinkle bread crumbs/crackers/panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika over the top.

  10. Bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Take out of the oven and serve the cheesy masterpiece immediately. 

 

There you have it, collegiates, the best mac & cheese you will have in your life. If you want, you can substitute dairy-free cheese and non-dairy milk throughout this recipe as well! Outrageously cheesy, ultra-creamy and topped with a crunchy topping, this mac & cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. I always use a little extra cheese here and there to make sure this recipe tastes out of this world.

Amira is currently a senior at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is always smiling with a kombucha in her hand & blasting her multiple Céline Dion CD's in her car because duh, the radio can't beat Céline Dion. On any given day she will gladly talk your ear off about Grey's Anatomy, stronger background checks for gun purchases and why immigrants are some of the most important members of our society.