Homemade Mac n Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy Homemade Mac n Cheese recipe! Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is enveloped in a velvety, flavorful cheese sauce made with a delectable blend of sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyère. This crowd-pleasing dish is elevated with a golden, crispy topping of panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, gently toasted to perfection in the oven. The recipe combines classic cooking techniques, like making a smooth roux and thick béchamel, with bold seasoning elements such as paprika and dry mustard for a subtle depth of flavor. Ready in just under an hour, this baked mac n cheese is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy indulgent nights at home. It’s everything you love about comfort food, loaded with cheesy goodness and irresistible texture!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 340 grams elbow macaroni
• 60 grams unsalted butter
• 30 grams all-purpose flour
• 720 milliliters whole milk
• 240 milliliters heavy cream
• 225 grams cheddar cheese, shredded
• 225 grams Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 60 grams panko breadcrumbs
• 30 grams parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for about 1–2 minutes until it forms a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook and whisk constantly until the mixture starts to thicken, about 5–7 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, stirring until completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Stir in the salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, ensuring all the pasta is well coated.

Step 8

Transfer the mac n cheese to a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac n cheese.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.

Step 12

Let the mac n cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy homemade mac n cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1975.4 grams (1975.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5394

Total Fat 331.70g	425%
Saturated Fat 188.50g	943%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.10g
Cholesterol 974mg	325%
Sodium 6702mg	291%
Total Carbohydrate 376.00g	137%
Dietary Fiber 16.00g	57%
Total Sugars 52.40g
Protein 218.00g	436%

Vitamin D 423IU	2116%
Calcium 5070mg	390%
Iron 19mg	107%
Potassium 1610mg	34%

*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: 55.7%

Protein: 16.3%

Carbs: 28.1%