The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with "The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese" recipe, a creamy, baked masterpiece that's perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings. Featuring a luscious blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses melted into a velvety sauce made with whole milk and heavy cream, this dish takes macaroni and cheese to gourmet levels. Topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch, this easy-to-follow recipe is ready in under an hour and serves six hearty portions. Whether you're craving classic comfort or impressing your guests, this baked mac and cheese delivers rich, cheesy goodness in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 4 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard powder
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

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 whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream until smooth. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the salt, ground black pepper, and mustard powder. Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses a little at a time, stirring until the sauce is smooth and the cheese has fully melted.

Step 6

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat thoroughly. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil, mixing until the breadcrumbs are coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Optionally, dust the top with paprika for added color and flavor.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2234.5 grams (2234.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5695

Total Fat 319.90g	410%
Saturated Fat 175.60g	878%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.70g
Cholesterol 901mg	300%
Sodium 6179mg	269%
Total Carbohydrate 467.60g	170%
Dietary Fiber 19.50g	70%
Total Sugars 67.00g
Protein 215.90g	432%

Vitamin D 513IU	2567%
Calcium 4596mg	354%
Iron 23mg	127%
Potassium 1909mg	41%

*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: 51.3%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 33.3%