Macaroni Au Gratin

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly crispy, Macaroni Au Gratin is the ultimate comfort food with a touch of gourmet flair. This easy-to-make dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, velvety cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and Parmesan, then takes it to the next level with a golden, crunchy panko breadcrumb topping. Perfectly baked to achieve a balance of creamy and crispy textures, this recipe is wonderfully satisfying for weeknight dinners or special occasions. With the subtle warmth of nutmeg and the optional garnish of fresh parsley, this macaroni bake isn’t just delicious—it’s downright elegant. Ready in under an hour, this family favorite serves four and is guaranteed to become your go-to for indulgent, oven-baked pasta dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams Elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 500 milliliters Whole milk
• 200 grams Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg (optional)
• 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package instructions, reducing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes to keep the pasta slightly firm. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes a smooth paste (roux).

Step 4

Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg, if using.

Step 6

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, making sure the pasta is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 7

In a small mixing bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish.

Step 8

Bake the Macaroni Au Gratin in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 9

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy a delightful, cheesy, and crispy Macaroni Au Gratin!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1223.5 grams (1223.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3324

Total Fat 168.30g	216%
Saturated Fat 88.00g	440%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.20g
Cholesterol 419mg	140%
Sodium 5382mg	234%
Total Carbohydrate 320.20g	116%
Dietary Fiber 13.80g	49%
Total Sugars 41.10g
Protein 139.90g	280%

Vitamin D 270IU	1349%
Calcium 2684mg	206%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 1108mg	24%

*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: 45.1%

Protein: 16.7%

Carbs: 38.2%