Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Boil macaroni pasta in salted water to al dente. Drain and toss with 1 Tbsp butter.

Step 3

Melt 4 Tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once melted, gradually stir in flour.

Step 4

Whisk in milk, about half cup at a time, to create a smooth sauce. Whisk in heavy whipping cream.

Step 5

Stir grated cheese into the sauce. Stir continuously to ensure the sauce has a smooth and consistent texture. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.

Step 6

In a lightly greased baking dish, add macaroni and stir in cheese sauce until everything is well combined.

Step 7

Melt remaining 3 Tbsp butter on stovetop or the microwave. Stir in panko. Top the macaroni evenly with this butter-panko mixture.

Step 8

Bake the macaroni for 30 minutes in preheated oven. At the end, you can optionally broil it for a few minutes for a little added color.