Description
This One-Dish Corn Mac and Cheese combines creamy Velveeta cheese with a blend of whole kernel and cream-style corn, seasoned with spices, and baked to perfection with a crispy panko parmesan topping. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn and Liquid Mixture
- 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)
Pasta and Cheese
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni (454g)
- 16 ounces Velveeta (cubed)
- ½ cup salted butter (cubed)
Breadcrumb Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the mac and cheese.
- Mix corn and seasonings: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the drained whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, water, whole milk, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.
- Add pasta and cheese: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, cubed Velveeta, and cubed salted butter. Make sure the pasta is well coated with the corn mixture for even cooking.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, carefully remove the foil, stir the mixture to prevent sticking, recover again, and bake for another 20 minutes. If the pasta is still firm (too al dente), bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until tender.
- Prepare breadcrumb topping: While the macaroni bakes, melt salted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and salt, stirring until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated and toasted to a golden brown. Remove from heat and stir in grated parmesan cheese.
- Add topping and finish baking: Sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for the last 15 minutes to create a crispy topping.
Notes
- Use Velveeta for a super creamy, melty texture; however, cheddar cheese can be substituted for a sharper flavor.
- Covering the dish during initial baking ensures the pasta cooks fully in the creamy liquid.
- The breadcrumb topping adds a crunchy texture contrast but can be omitted for a softer casserole.
- Adjust baking times as needed based on your oven and pasta brand, ensuring the macaroni is tender.
- Mustard powder and nutmeg are optional but provide depth of flavor to the cheese sauce.
