Yummy Baked Mac Cheese

Dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with this Yummy Baked Mac Cheese recipe! Featuring tender elbow macaroni smothered in a luxuriously rich and creamy three-cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan, this dish is a cheese lover's dream come true. Enhanced with a buttery, golden panko breadcrumb topping, every bite offers a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the velvety pasta. Easy to whip up in under an hour, this baked mac and cheese is seasoned with a hint of paprika for extra flavor, making it the perfect crowd-pleaser for family dinners, potlucks, or holidays. Enjoy this classic pasta bake straight out of the oven for a warm, cheesy delight that’s as comforting as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 450 grams elbow macaroni
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden to create a roux.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Let the baked mac and cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2511.7 grams (2511.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6671

Total Fat 398.10g	510%
Saturated Fat 239.80g	1199%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.10g
Cholesterol 1210mg	403%
Sodium 8238mg	358%
Total Carbohydrate 474.40g	173%
Dietary Fiber 19.40g	69%
Total Sugars 66.80g
Protein 280.80g	562%

Vitamin D 429IU	2147%
Calcium 6170mg	475%
Iron 20mg	112%
Potassium 1561mg	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: 54.3%

Protein: 17.0%

Carbs: 28.7%