Traditional Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Traditional Macaroni and Cheese recipe that’s creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection. Featuring classic elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce made with sharp cheddar and gruyere, this dish takes homemade mac and cheese to the next level with a buttery panko breadcrumb topping for added crunch. Perfect for weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing side at gatherings, this recipe combines simple ingredients like milk, butter, and flour for a classic roux-based sauce, seasoned with a hint of paprika for depth. Baked to bubbly, golden-brown glory, this easy-to-make recipe is a timeless favorite for cheese lovers of all ages.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoons paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk for 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the cheddar and gruyere cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until the pasta is 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, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over 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 it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your traditional macaroni and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
850 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.9 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.7 g | 123% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 120 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 1091 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 84.2 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.6 g | ||
| Protein | 38.0 g | 76% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.6 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 831 mg | 64% | |
| Iron | 3.9 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 408 mg | 9% | |
*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.
