Creamy Two Cheese Macaroni
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Two Cheese Macaroni, a luscious blend of sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyère cheeses enveloping tender elbow macaroni. This irresistible dish starts with a velvety roux-based cheese sauce enhanced with a hint of Dijon mustard and smoky paprika for added depth. Topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs, this baked macaroni is a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Ready in just 40 minutes, this creamy, cheesy favorite serves six and is bound to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain 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 make a roux.
Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce, stirring to combine.
Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring all the pasta is evenly coated.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crisp.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy two cheese macaroni!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 276.1 g | 354% | |
| Saturated Fat | 155.4 g | 777% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 790 mg | 263% | |
| Sodium | 5259 mg | 229% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 433.2 g | 158% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.5 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 53.8 g | ||
| Protein | 184.0 g | 368% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.9 mcg | 49% | |
| Calcium | 3628 mg | 279% | |
| Iron | 21.2 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 1547 mg | 33% | |
*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.
