Awesome Mac and Cheese
Dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with this 'Awesome Mac and Cheese' recipe! Featuring a creamy, velvety cheese sauce made with a trio of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, this dish strikes the perfect balance between richness and flavor. The tender elbow macaroni is coated in a luscious blend of whole milk and heavy cream, while a golden, crunchy panko breadcrumb topping adds a satisfying texture to every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this baked macaroni and cheese is as indulgent as it is easy to make, with just 15 minutes of prep and a short bake time. Whether it’s served as a main dish or a crowd-pleasing side, this classic comfort food with a gourmet twist will be your new family favorite. Keywords: mac and cheese recipe, baked macaroni and cheese, creamy cheese sauce, comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz Elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Paprika (optional)
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue cooking over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly, about 4-5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add salt, black pepper, and paprika (if using) to the cheese sauce. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Awesome Mac and Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3940 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 195.8 g | 251% | |
| Saturated Fat | 111.6 g | 558% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 580 mg | 193% | |
| Sodium | 4110 mg | 179% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 386.9 g | 141% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.2 g | 61% | |
| Total Sugars | 53.5 g | ||
| Protein | 129.4 g | 259% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.1 mcg | 40% | |
| Calcium | 2155 mg | 166% | |
| Iron | 17.3 mg | 96% | |
| Potassium | 1216 mg | 26% | |
*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.
