Easy Baked Macaroni Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Easy Baked Macaroni Cheese recipe! Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce made from a delectable blend of sharp cheddar and gruyere cheeses, enhanced with a hint of paprika for warmth. Topped with a golden, crispy layer of panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan and olive oil, this baked mac and cheese delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple, familiar ingredients, this easy-to-follow recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Serve it as a hearty main or a crowd-pleasing side dish that's sure to disappear fast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 225 grams elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook 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 form a roux.
Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Cook until the mixture starts to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese and gruyere cheese, one handful at a time, until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Mix well, then sprinkle the mixture evenly on top of 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 cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
733 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.0 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.6 g | 138% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 135 mg | 45% | |
| Sodium | 1006 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 49.8 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 27.1 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 636 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 239 mg | 5% | |
*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.
