Midwest Casserole Mac and Cheese (Printable)

Baked mac and cheese meets crunchy dill pickle and panko topping. Creamy, savory, and full of Midwest flair.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
12 - 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

→ Pickle Crumble Topping

13 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
17 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni in a large pot of salted water until just al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbly but not browned.
04 - Gradually whisk in whole milk until smooth. Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Mix drained macaroni with cheese sauce, ensuring even coating. Transfer mixture to the greased baking dish.
07 - In a mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, finely chopped dill pickles, melted unsalted butter, fresh dill, and crushed red pepper flakes until evenly combined.
08 - Evenly distribute the pickle crumble topping over the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish.
09 - Bake on the center rack, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients and classic cheeses
  • Ready to eat in under an hour with very little prep
  • Pickle crumble delivers tangy crunch that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
  • Perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks or chilly nights
02 -
  • High in protein and calcium
  • Extra crisp topping means no soggy leftovers
  • Freezes well for up to three months in a tightly sealed container
03 -
  • Whisk the milk in gradually to prevent lumpy sauce and keep it silky
  • Never skip the rest after baking for perfect clean slices
  • For even richer flavor toast the panko in butter first until lightly golden before mixing with pickles

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