Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, indulgent Homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe! Featuring a luscious cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan, this dish offers the perfect balance of rich flavors and velvety texture. Topped with buttery, golden Panko breadcrumbs for an irresistible crunch, this baked mac and cheese is an elevated classic that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for cozy dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings, with an optional parsley garnish adding a pop of freshness. Make this crowd-pleasing dish today and savor every cheesy bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for topping)
• 1 tbsp parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses, one handful at a time, until fully melted and smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, folding gently to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of butter. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the dish and spread evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. 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 top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy your homemade macaroni and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1854 grams (1854.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4960

Total Fat 302.70g	388%
Saturated Fat 180.30g	902%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 914mg	305%
Sodium 5991mg	260%
Total Carbohydrate 361.40g	131%
Dietary Fiber 15.20g	54%
Total Sugars 51.10g
Protein 186.90g	374%

Vitamin D 408IU	2041%
Calcium 4068mg	313%
Iron 18mg	100%
Potassium 1504mg	32%

*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: 55.4%

Protein: 15.2%

Carbs: 29.4%