Creamy Baked Macaroni Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Baked Macaroni Cheese recipe, a decadent twist on the classic dish. Featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a velvety sauce made from a trio of cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this dish is rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy. A hint of Dijon mustard and paprika adds depth, while a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping provides the perfect crunchy contrast. With just 15 minutes of prep time and an oven-baked finish, this family-friendly recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Serve it piping hot, and watch it disappear from the table! Perfectly comforting and crowd-pleasing, this baked macaroni and cheese will become your go-to for hearty, homestyle meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams Elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. 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 continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
Stir in salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, and paprika. Remove the saucepan from heat and gradually add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it 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 top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy baked macaroni cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1153 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.3 g | 86% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.8 g | 194% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 179 mg | 60% | |
| Sodium | 1695 mg | 74% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 84.5 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.8 g | ||
| Protein | 50.8 g | 102% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 1148 mg | 88% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 382 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.
