Aunt Lesley's Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Aunt Lesley’s Macaroni and Cheese Bake—a rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy casserole that’s perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Featuring a luscious blend of sharp cheddar and Gruyere cheeses melted into a velvety béchamel sauce, this dish takes classic mac and cheese to gourmet heights. Finished with a golden, crunchy topping of buttery panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and paprika, each bite offers a satisfying contrast of creamy and crispy textures. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a perfectly baked finish in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing recipe is as easy as it is delicious. Serve it as a hearty main or the ultimate side dish for your next dinner party!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 4 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 4 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground mustard
• 1.5 cups Panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 teaspoons Paprika
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens (about 5-7 minutes).

Step 5

Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and Gruyere cheeses a handful at a time until fully melted and smooth. Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and ground mustard.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is well coated.

Step 7

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy Aunt Lesley’s irresistible macaroni and cheese bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2558.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6894.7

Total Fat 412.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 240.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.4g
Cholesterol 1241.1mg	0%
Sodium 8489.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 487.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.2g	0%
Total Sugars 68.7g
Protein 302.5g	0%

Vitamin D 573.4IU	0%
Calcium 7050.7mg	0%
Iron 25.1mg	0%
Potassium 2182.1mg	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: 54.0%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 28.4%