Home Baked Macaroni Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this irresistible Home Baked Macaroni Cheese recipe! Featuring a luscious three-cheese blend of sharp cheddar, creamy Gruyère, and tangy Parmesan, this dish delivers rich, cheesy goodness with every bite. A silky, homemade roux-based cheese sauce is paired with tender elbow macaroni, then topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch. Infused with a hint of Dijon mustard and paprika for a subtle depth of flavor, this baked macaroni and cheese is a crowd-pleasing classic elevated to gourmet status. Ready in under an hour, it’s an easy, hearty dish that’s ideal for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or anytime comfort food cravings strike.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 500 milliliters whole milk
• 250 milliliters heavy cream
• 200 grams sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 100 grams Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 100 grams panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to make a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking and cook until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, Gruyère cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Stir in the Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1622.6 grams (1622.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4733

Total Fat 283.70g	364%
Saturated Fat 160.60g	803%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.90g
Cholesterol 807mg	269%
Sodium 6293mg	274%
Total Carbohydrate 359.40g	131%
Dietary Fiber 16.00g	57%
Total Sugars 43.00g
Protein 175.70g	351%

Vitamin D 291IU	1456%
Calcium 3638mg	280%
Iron 19mg	104%
Potassium 1162mg	25%

*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: 54.4%

Protein: 15.0%

Carbs: 30.6%