Description
This One-Dish Corn Mac and Cheese combines creamy Velveeta cheese with a delightful mix of whole kernel and cream-style corn, seasoned with a blend of spices to create a comforting and flavorful meal. Baked until bubbly and topped with a crunchy, buttery parmesan panko breadcrumb crust, this easy recipe serves 8 and delivers a perfect balance of creamy and crispy textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 14 ounces whole kernel corn (432g, drained)
- 14 ounces cream-style corn (418g)
- 1½ cups water (360mL)
- 1½ cups whole milk (360mL)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- â…› teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni (454g)
- 16 ounces Velveeta (cubed)
- ½ cup salted butter (cubed)
Topping Ingredients
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking.
- Mix Corn and Seasonings: In a 9×13-inch baking pan, combine the whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, water, whole milk, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to mix all the flavors together.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, cubed Velveeta, and salted butter to the corn mixture. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy corn mixture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove from the oven, stir well to combine, then recover with foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes. If the macaroni is still too firm, continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes until tender.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: While the pasta is baking, melt the salted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and salt, toasting them until the breadcrumbs are golden and evenly coated with butter. Remove from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese.
- Top and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese during the last 15 minutes of baking to allow the crust to crisp up and brown pleasantly.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, you can substitute whole milk with half-and-half.
- Topping can be omitted or substituted with crushed crackers for a different crunch.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Make sure to stir the dish halfway through baking for even cooking and to prevent sticking.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to thicken and cool slightly before serving.
