Macaroni and Bleu Cheese

Indulge in a gourmet twist on a classic dish with this creamy, decadent Macaroni and Bleu Cheese recipe. Featuring tender elbow macaroni coated in a luxuriously smooth cheese sauce made with tangy bleu cheese, sharp cheddar, and a hint of garlic and onion powders, this dish offers a symphony of bold, comforting flavors. Topped with golden, crunchy panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying contrast and garnished with fresh parsley, it’s baked to perfection for a crowd-pleasing meal. Perfect for dinner parties or an elevated comfort food craving, this rich and savory macaroni bake is sure to impress. Ideal keywords: "macaroni and bleu cheese," "creamy baked macaroni recipe," "gourmet macaroni and cheese," "easy blue cheese pasta dish," "elevated comfort food recipes."

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
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 5 oz crumbled bleu cheese
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
• 0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture forms a smooth roux.

Step 3

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it begins to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the bleu cheese and cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses have fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 5

Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 6

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring until all the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

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

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1509.7 grams (1509.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4348

Total Fat 259.80g	333%
Saturated Fat 148.60g	743%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.90g
Cholesterol 729mg	243%
Sodium 4714mg	205%
Total Carbohydrate 338.40g	123%
Dietary Fiber 14.50g	52%
Total Sugars 38.40g
Protein 144.80g	290%

Vitamin D 281IU	1406%
Calcium 2601mg	200%
Iron 17mg	96%
Potassium 1366mg	29%

*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: 13.6%

Carbs: 31.7%