Blow Your Mind Macaroni Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with "Blow Your Mind Macaroni Cheese," a rich, velvety dish that lives up to its name. This recipe combines perfectly al dente elbow macaroni with a luxurious trio of cheeses—sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and salty Parmesan—melted into a creamy, flavorful sauce heightened with garlic powder and smoked paprika. To elevate the dish further, it’s topped with crispy, golden panko breadcrumbs for the perfect contrast of textures. Ready in just 50 minutes, including time in the oven for a bubbling, golden-brown finish, this baked mac and cheese is the perfect centerpiece for family dinners, potlucks, or indulgent weeknight meals. Effortlessly creamy, decadently cheesy, and irresistibly crunchy, this recipe will become your go-to for comfort food cravings.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams Elbow macaroni
- 85 grams Butter
- 50 grams All-purpose flour
- 750 ml Whole milk
- 250 ml Heavy cream
- 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 150 grams Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a large oven-safe 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 the pasta, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.
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 create a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 5–7 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses a handful at a time, ensuring each addition is melted before adding more. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
Fold the cooked macaroni into the sauce, ensuring every piece is well coated.
Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Mix until the breadcrumbs are lightly coated.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Blow Your Mind Macaroni Cheese while it's warm and cheesy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1031 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 60.4 g | 77% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.4 g | 172% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 165 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 1197 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.5 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.2 g | ||
| Protein | 37.3 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 795 mg | 61% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 369 mg | 8% | |
*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.
