Old School Mac N Cheese

Indulge in pure comfort with this Old School Mac N Cheese recipe—a timeless classic bursting with creamy, cheesy goodness. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni is smothered in a luscious homemade cheese sauce, featuring a rich blend of sharp cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheeses. A hint of ground mustard and paprika elevates the flavor, while a crispy golden topping of panko breadcrumbs adds the perfect crunch. Baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour, this recipe is your go-to for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave a nostalgic treat. Serve it as a main course or an irresistible side dish—don’t forget the optional garnish of fresh parsley for a touch of brightness. Classic mac and cheese never tasted so good!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Ground mustard powder
• 0.5 tsp Paprika
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux (it should have a paste-like consistency).

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue cooking, whisking frequently, for 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 5

Lower the heat and stir in the salt, pepper, mustard powder, and paprika. Gradually add the shredded sharp cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheeses. Stir until completely melted and smooth.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.

Step 9

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 10

Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1864.6 grams (1864.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5043

Total Fat 308.20g	395%
Saturated Fat 170.10g	850%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.40g
Cholesterol 852mg	284%
Sodium 5988mg	260%
Total Carbohydrate 367.70g	134%
Dietary Fiber 15.80g	56%
Total Sugars 51.20g
Protein 187.90g	376%

Vitamin D 394IU	1971%
Calcium 4071mg	313%
Iron 19mg	104%
Potassium 1536mg	33%

*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: 55.5%

Protein: 15.0%

Carbs: 29.4%