Crusted Macaroni Cheese
Elevate your comfort food game with this indulgent Crusted Macaroni Cheese recipe, a creamy, cheesy delight topped with a golden, crunchy panko breadcrumb crust. Featuring a rich blend of sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and savory Parmesan, this dish pairs perfectly cooked macaroni with a velvety cheese sauce infused with subtle hints of garlic and mustard for added depth. The crisp, olive oil-tossed breadcrumb topping provides an irresistible texture contrast, making every bite utterly satisfying. Perfect for cozy family dinners or as a crowd-pleasing side dish, this recipe is easy to prepare in under an hour and serves up to six. Bake to golden perfection and enjoy a classic dish with a gourmet twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Macaroni pasta
- 50 grams Unsalted butter
- 50 grams All-purpose flour
- 500 milliliters Milk
- 250 milliliters Heavy cream
- 200 grams Sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 100 grams Gruyère cheese (grated)
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 100 grams Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Mustard powder
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a large baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes to create a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and mustard powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and mix well. Transfer the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Scatter the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
864 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.6 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.9 g | 134% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 126 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 954 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.5 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g | ||
| Protein | 30.7 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 603 mg | 46% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 275 mg | 6% | |
*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.
