Home Style Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy Home Style Macaroni and Cheese recipe! Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is enveloped in a decadent, velvety cheese sauce made from a trio of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, with a hint of mustard powder for depth. With its golden breadcrumb topping and optional oven-baked perfection, this dish delivers both indulgent flavor and comforting texture. Ready in under an hour, it's an easy-to-make classic that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Discover how to make this crowd-pleasing favorite that’s sure to be a hit at any table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups Whole milk
- 0.5 cups Heavy cream
- 2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground mustard powder
- 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil or melted butter (optional, for breadcrumbs)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you plan to bake the macaroni and cheese.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan or pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for 4-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and mustard powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until all the pasta is evenly coated.
If desired, transfer the macaroni and cheese to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle them evenly over the top.
Bake the macaroni and cheese uncovered in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Let the macaroni and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
621 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.4 g | 50% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.2 g | 116% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 111 mg | 37% | |
| Sodium | 898 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 42.1 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 25.9 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 607 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 200 mg | 4% | |
*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.
