Yummy Baked Mac Cheese
Dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with this Yummy Baked Mac Cheese recipe! Featuring tender elbow macaroni smothered in a luxuriously rich and creamy three-cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan, this dish is a cheese lover's dream come true. Enhanced with a buttery, golden panko breadcrumb topping, every bite offers a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the velvety pasta. Easy to whip up in under an hour, this baked mac and cheese is seasoned with a hint of paprika for extra flavor, making it the perfect crowd-pleaser for family dinners, potlucks, or holidays. Enjoy this classic pasta bake straight out of the oven for a warm, cheesy delight that’s as comforting as it is delicious!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden to create a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat the pasta evenly.
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Let the baked mac and cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
841 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 49.5 g | 64% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.6 g | 153% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 149 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 1050 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 64.0 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.0 g | ||
| Protein | 34.7 g | 69% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 777 mg | 60% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 254 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.
