Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese (Print Version)

Creamy mac with roasted Brussels sprouts baked on a sheet pan for crispy edges and rich flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 12 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - Salt, to taste
05 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Sauce

06 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 3 cups whole milk
09 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
10 - 3.5 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - Salt, to taste
15 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Topping

16 - 2 oz panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 1 tbsp melted butter
19 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
02 - Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly over half of the sheet pan.
03 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water, cooking 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain thoroughly.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
05 - Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheese is fully melted.
06 - Mix the drained macaroni with the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
07 - Spread the macaroni and cheese mixture on the empty half of the sheet pan next to the Brussels sprouts.
08 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni.
09 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until Brussels sprouts are roasted and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
10 - Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Sheet pan method means easy serving and crispy edges
  • Includes vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition
02 -
  • You can substitute Gruyère cheese with fontina or Monterey Jack for different flavors
  • For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs
03 -
  • Add a pinch of chili flakes to the cheese sauce for extra heat
  • Let the casserole rest for a few minutes out of the oven before serving to help it set
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