Delicious and Easy Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, this Delicious and Easy Macaroni and Cheese recipe is a perfect go-to for weeknight dinners, holiday side dishes, or satisfying meals anytime. Featuring a luscious blend of sharp cheddar, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. The rich cheese sauce, made from scratch with whole milk and heavy cream, envelops tender al dente elbow macaroni for the ultimate comfort food experience. Whether served straight from the stovetop or with a crispy golden panko breadcrumb topping for a baked twist, this recipe is ready in just 35 minutes and serves up to 6 hungry diners. Perfect for both kids and adults, this classic mac and cheese is sure to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil or melted butter (optional, for breadcrumbs)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions 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 about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, making sure to break up any lumps of flour. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy cheese sauce.
Optional (for a baked version): Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a greased baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Serve the macaroni and cheese hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5036 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 283.0 g | 363% | |
| Saturated Fat | 161.7 g | 808% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 820 mg | 273% | |
| Sodium | 5951 mg | 259% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 416.1 g | 151% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.3 g | 62% | |
| Total Sugars | 53.6 g | ||
| Protein | 186.2 g | 372% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.3 mcg | 46% | |
| Calcium | 3783 mg | 291% | |
| Iron | 19.1 mg | 106% | |
| Potassium | 1541 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.
