Description
This Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. With a rich, velvety cheese sauce and a golden, crispy topping, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. The blend of cheeses makes it extra flavorful, and the breadcrumb topping adds a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, ensuring no lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Cheese: Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and gradually mix in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use a mix of cheeses like Gruyère or Fontina.
- You can make this ahead of time and refrigerate; just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.
- Add cooked bacon, chicken, or veggies for a fun twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 65mg