Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Easy Baked Mac and Cheese recipe—a creamy, cheesy masterpiece that's perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni smothered in a luxurious, three-cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, this dish is elevated with a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping. With just 15 minutes of prep and straightforward steps like creating a rich roux and baking to bubbly perfection, it’s a foolproof way to satisfy any craving. Serve this crowd-pleaser as a main dish or a hearty side, and watch it quickly become a family favorite. Perfectly creamy, irresistibly cheesy, and topped with a flavorful crunch, this baked mac and cheese is comfort food done right!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams Elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 3 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to 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 1 minute to form a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Stir in sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese a handful at a time, allowing each addition to melt completely before adding the next. Reserve 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese for topping.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, ground mustard, and paprika. Stir well to combine.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, mixing until the crumbs are lightly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly on top of the mac and cheese.
Top with the reserved cheddar cheese and place in the preheated oven.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the mac and cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1028 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.1 g | 76% | |
| Saturated Fat | 35.6 g | 178% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 166 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 1390 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 82.6 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.7 g | ||
| Protein | 44.4 g | 89% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 982 mg | 76% | |
| Iron | 3.8 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 367 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.
