Ultimate Mac N Cheese
Indulge in the creamy, velvety perfection of the Ultimate Mac N Cheese, a comforting classic elevated to gourmet status. This baked masterpiece features tender elbow macaroni smothered in a luscious three-cheese blend of sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and salty Parmesan, all brought together by a rich béchamel sauce infused with Dijon mustard and a hint of paprika for depth. Topped with crispy, golden panko breadcrumbs toasted in olive oil, this dish achieves the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy in every bite. Ready in under an hour, this easy yet decadent recipe makes six generous servings, making it ideal for cozy family dinners or impressing guests at your next gathering. Perfectly textured, irresistibly cheesy, and impossible to resist, this Ultimate Mac N Cheese redefines comfort food. Keep reading to get step-by-step instructions and tips for mac and cheese perfection!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
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. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, to create a roux.
Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, whisking often, until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and smooth.
Mix in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil until evenly coated, then sprinkle the mixture over the mac and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Ultimate Mac N Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5404 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 304.3 g | 390% | |
| Saturated Fat | 172.4 g | 862% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 881 mg | 294% | |
| Sodium | 6194 mg | 269% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 442.5 g | 161% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.7 g | 67% | |
| Total Sugars | 66.8 g | ||
| Protein | 208.5 g | 417% | |
| Vitamin D | 12.5 mcg | 63% | |
| Calcium | 4358 mg | 335% | |
| Iron | 21.0 mg | 117% | |
| Potassium | 1837 mg | 39% | |
*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.
