Mac and Blue

Elevate your comfort food game with "Mac and Blue," a sophisticated twist on classic mac and cheese that pairs creamy blue cheese with sharp white cheddar for a bold, flavorful dish. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni is coated in a velvety cheese sauce made with whole milk, heavy cream, and a touch of garlic and onion powder for added depth. Topped with crispy golden panko breadcrumbs and a hint of olive oil, this indulgent baked mac and cheese recipe is finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a gourmet touch. Ready in just 40 minutes, this decadent dish serves as a show-stopping side or a luscious main course, ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 0.5 cups heavy cream
• 4 ounces blue cheese (crumbled)
• 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it forms a light roux.

Step 3

Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the blue cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.

Step 5

Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce and mix well.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 8

Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a greased 8x8-inch baking dish.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly moistened. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.

Step 10

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1168.7 grams (1168.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3078

Total Fat 191.00g	245%
Saturated Fat 107.50g	538%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.90g
Cholesterol 508mg	169%
Sodium 5006mg	218%
Total Carbohydrate 227.10g	83%
Dietary Fiber 9.60g	34%
Total Sugars 33.40g
Protein 105.20g	210%

Vitamin D 263IU	1315%
Calcium 2044mg	157%
Iron 11mg	61%
Potassium 1173mg	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: 56.4%

Protein: 13.8%

Carbs: 29.8%