Old Fashioned Baked Mac N Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Old Fashioned Baked Mac N Cheese, a creamy and nostalgic dish that offers layers of rich, cheesy goodness. This recipe combines three decadent cheeses—sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—melted into a velvety béchamel sauce to coat tender elbow macaroni. It's topped with a buttery breadcrumb crust, baked to golden perfection for the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. Seasoned with a hint of paprika and dry mustard for depth, this classic mac and cheese casserole is easy to make with just 20 minutes of prep and serves six hearty portions. Perfect for family dinners, holiday feasts, or as a cozy side dish, this timeless recipe delivers the homemade flavor you crave. Keywords: oven-baked mac and cheese, old-fashioned mac and cheese, cheesy macaroni bake.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.25 tsp dry mustard powder
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter, melted for topping

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.

Step 4

Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, until the mixture forms a smooth paste (this is a roux).

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, continuing to stir constantly, until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, reserving about 1/2 cup of cheddar for topping. Stir until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.

Step 7

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dry mustard powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 10

Top with the reserved shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 11

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the cheese layer.

Step 12

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

Step 13

Let the mac 'n' cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2189.4 grams (2189.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6197

Total Fat 343.80g	441%
Saturated Fat 205.40g	1027%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.20g
Cholesterol 1050mg	350%
Sodium 8121mg	353%
Total Carbohydrate 503.40g	183%
Dietary Fiber 23.10g	83%
Total Sugars 62.30g
Protein 248.20g	496%

Vitamin D 421IU	2107%
Calcium 5224mg	402%
Iron 27mg	149%
Potassium 1869mg	40%

*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: 50.7%

Protein: 16.3%

Carbs: 33.0%