Rich and Cheesy Macaroni

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Rich and Cheesy Macaroni recipe, a luscious blend of creamy cheese sauce and perfectly baked pasta topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs. Featuring a trio of sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and savory Parmesan, this baked macaroni and cheese delivers unparalleled flavor and gooey richness in every bite. The velvety roux-based sauce, made with a combination of whole milk and heavy cream, coats tender elbow macaroni before everything is baked to bubbly perfection. Finished with a crunchy panko breadcrumb topping and a hint of paprika, it's the perfect dish to bring to family gatherings, potlucks, or to enjoy as a cozy weeknight dinner. Ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile recipe serves six and can easily be customized for even more cheesy goodness.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams Elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1.5 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika (optional, for garnish)
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

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. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk and heavy cream to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until they are fully melted and smooth.

Step 6

Add salt, pepper, and ground mustard to the cheese sauce and mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 7

Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the macaroni. Optionally, dust with paprika for color.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let the mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2004.8 grams (2004.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5532

Total Fat 313.60g	402%
Saturated Fat 177.80g	889%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.10g
Cholesterol 912mg	304%
Sodium 6386mg	278%
Total Carbohydrate 445.60g	162%
Dietary Fiber 19.20g	69%
Total Sugars 55.00g
Protein 218.30g	437%

Vitamin D 406IU	2031%
Calcium 4600mg	354%
Iron 22mg	122%
Potassium 1523mg	32%

*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: 51.5%

Protein: 15.9%

Carbs: 32.5%