Beyond Macaroni Cheese
Take your comfort food game to the next level with Beyond Macaroni Cheese, a decadent twist on the classic dish that’s perfect for dinner parties or indulgent weeknight meals. This recipe elevates traditional macaroni and cheese with a velvety three-cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan, enhanced by a touch of Dijon mustard and paprika for added depth. Finished with a crisp, golden panko breadcrumb topping infused with garlic and parsley, this baked pasta dish delivers a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures in every bite. Customize it with optional add-ins like smoky bacon bits or juicy cherry tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor. With just 20 minutes of prep and 35 minutes in the oven, this gourmet-style comfort food is destined to impress. Keywords: three-cheese macaroni, baked macaroni and cheese, creamy macaroni recipe, panko breadcrumb topping, comfort food pasta recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams Elbow macaroni
- 60 grams Unsalted butter
- 40 grams All-purpose flour
- 500 ml Whole milk
- 250 ml Heavy cream
- 200 grams Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 150 grams Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 15 grams Dijon mustard
- 5 grams Paprika
- 5 grams Salt
- 2 grams Black pepper
- 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
- 15 ml Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 15 grams Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 100 grams Optional - cooked bacon bits
- 120 grams Optional - diced cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until just al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt 60g of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes without letting it brown.
Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and stir in the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese until completely melted. Add the Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring until incorporated.
Optional: Stir in cooked bacon bits and/or diced cherry tomatoes for added flavor.
Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, ensuring all the pasta is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and garlic, stirring until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and mix in the parsley.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.
Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Beyond Macaroni Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6144 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 348.8 g | 447% | |
| Saturated Fat | 185.9 g | 930% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 941 mg | 314% | |
| Sodium | 5828 mg | 253% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 496.8 g | 181% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.5 g | 88% | |
| Total Sugars | 51.8 g | ||
| Protein | 251.0 g | 502% | |
| Vitamin D | 7.5 mcg | 38% | |
| Calcium | 4156 mg | 320% | |
| Iron | 27.8 mg | 154% | |
| Potassium | 2027 mg | 43% | |
*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.
