# Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

> Melissa Clark's baked mac and cheese recipe with cheese sauce and crispy topping.
- Title: Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe · House & Home | Shortify
- Summary: Melissa Clark's baked mac and cheese recipe with cheese sauce and crispy topping.
- Keywords: baked mac and cheese, melissa clark, big book of dinner, cheese sauce, pancake topping, House & Home
- Source: House & Home — https://houseandhome.com/food/baked-mac-and-cheese
- Author: Lauren Medeiros
- Published: 2026-11-03T20:00:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: baked mac and cheese, melissa clark, big book of dinner, food, cheese sauce, pancake topping
## Recipe Introduction
Melissa Clark shares baked mac and cheese recipe with cheese sauce and crispy topping.

> Make sure to use plenty of sauce and cover the pan for most of the baking to allow the noodles to absorb enough moisture to cook through. Then to add a crispy layer, I sprinkle panko and more cheese over the top and run everything under the broiler.
## Ingredients
Serves 6: 5 cups cheddar, 3 cups Colby Jack, 4 oz. Parmesan, 4 tbsp butter, ½ cup flour, 6 cups milk, 1¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp mustard powder, ¼ tsp nutmeg or onion powder, pinch…
## Cheese Sauce Preparation
Melt butter, whisk in flour until nutty and pale golden, then slowly add milk until thickened.
## Baking Instructions
Bake covered for 55 minutes, then uncover and add bread crumb topping for 20 minutes until crispy.
## Bread Crumb Topping
Mix panko, Parmesan, melted butter, and salt for crispy topping.
## Melissa's Rules & Variations
Easy stovetop version: boil pasta, mix with cheese sauce, and add topping for quick meal.
## Karen's Gorgonzola Variation
Add 5 oz. Gorgonzola dolce to cheese sauce for extra flavor.
## Key takeaway

Melissa Clark's baked mac and cheese recipe uses cheese sauce and bread crumb topping for crispy texture.