Fancy Mac N Cheese

Elevate your comfort food game with this irresistibly creamy and indulgent Fancy Mac N Cheese recipe. Featuring a velvety cheese sauce made with a luscious blend of sharp cheddar, gruyère, and parmesan, this dish is enriched with hints of garlic, dijon mustard, and paprika for a gourmet twist. Topped with golden, buttery panko breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, every bite delivers the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Ready in just 40 minutes, this baked mac and cheese is perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or anytime you're craving a decadent twist on a classic favorite. Keywords: Fancy Mac N Cheese, baked mac and cheese, gourmet mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese recipe, cheesy comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup gruyère cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.

Step 5

Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 6

Lower the heat and add the cheddar cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the macaroni is fully coated with the sauce.

Step 8

Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and smooth the top.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 11

Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1735.6 grams (1735.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4829

Total Fat 290.90g	373%
Saturated Fat 165.60g	828%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 837mg	279%
Sodium 6060mg	263%
Total Carbohydrate 358.20g	130%
Dietary Fiber 15.60g	56%
Total Sugars 45.40g
Protein 183.30g	367%

Vitamin D 340IU	1702%
Calcium 3939mg	303%
Iron 19mg	103%
Potassium 1406mg	30%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.7%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 29.9%