All American Macaroni Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this All American Macaroni Cheese recipe, a decadent blend of creamy, cheesy perfection topped with a satisfyingly crispy breadcrumb crust. This family-favorite dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious cheese sauce made from a trio of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan, elevated with hints of mustard powder and paprika for a subtle kick. Finished with a golden, buttery panko topping, this baked mac and cheese is the perfect balance of gooey and crunchy textures. Ready in under an hour, it's ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or as a holiday side dish. Savor the rich, all-American flavors in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams elbow macaroni
• 60 grams butter
• 50 grams all-purpose flour
• 950 milliliters milk
• 240 milliliters heavy cream
• 300 grams sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 150 grams Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 120 grams panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden to make a roux.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Continue to cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses, a handful at a time, until melted and smooth.

Step 6

Add the mustard powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt to the cheese sauce. Mix well to combine and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl. Stir until the pasta is fully coated.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and cheese in an even layer.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Allow the dish to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness with a crunchy topping!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2425.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6291.1

Total Fat 337.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 191.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 1001.3mg	0%
Sodium 7803.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 539.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.3g	0%
Total Sugars 73.3g
Protein 258.7g	0%

Vitamin D 537.1IU	0%
Calcium 5449.0mg	0%
Iron 27.5mg	0%
Potassium 2109.1mg	0%

*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: 48.8%

Protein: 16.6%

Carbs: 34.6%