Laughing Mac Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Laughing Mac Cheese, a decadent twist on classic mac and cheese that promises velvety richness in every bite. This recipe elevates traditional flavors with a luscious blend of sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and creamy soft cheese wedges, like Laughing Cow, for an irresistibly smooth texture. The cheese sauce, infused with Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and a hint of paprika, coats tender elbow macaroni to perfection. Topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs and garnished with fresh parsley, this baked mac and cheese dish strikes the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. Easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, it’s the ideal comfort meal for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy gatherings. Give your classic mac and cheese a flavorful upgrade that will have everyone laughing with delight!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 350 grams elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 6 pieces soft cheese wedges (e.g., Laughing Cow or similar), unwrapped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 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. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Make sure the mixture is smooth and starts to lightly bubble but not brown.
Gradually add the milk and cream to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until it begins to thicken.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the cheddar cheese, Gruyère cheese, and soft cheese wedges. Stir until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the Laughing Mac Cheese from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy the cheesy goodness!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4893 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 297.0 g | 381% | |
| Saturated Fat | 168.9 g | 844% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 872 mg | 291% | |
| Sodium | 6156 mg | 268% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 357.7 g | 130% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.1 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 55.8 g | ||
| Protein | 181.1 g | 362% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.9 mcg | 49% | |
| Calcium | 3926 mg | 302% | |
| Iron | 17.8 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 1676 mg | 36% | |
*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.
