Description
This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender elbow macaroni coated in a rich homemade cheese sauce made with cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyère, and Parmesan. Finished with a buttery golden breadcrumb topping, it’s creamy, cheesy, and perfect for family dinners, holidays, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving a warm and satisfying homemade meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
-
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the macaroni until just al dente and drain.
- Melt the butter and whisk in the flour to make a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth.
- Stir in the seasonings.
- Add the cheeses a handful at a time until melted.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Mix the topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cook the pasta slightly under al dente because it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Stir constantly while making the cheese sauce to prevent lumps.
- For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes after baking.
- Add cooked bacon, shredded chicken, or steamed broccoli for a delicious variation.
- Let the casserole rest before serving to allow the cheese sauce to thicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 115mg