Yummy Baked Macoroni Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Yummy Baked Macaroni Cheese recipe! Featuring a creamy, velvety cheese sauce made with a trio of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, this dish takes classic mac and cheese to the next level. A hint of Dijon mustard and a dash of paprika add depth and a subtle kick, while the golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping delivers the perfect contrasting crunch. This easy-to-follow recipe, ready in under an hour, is ideal for cozy family dinners, potlucks, or as a show-stopping side dish. Serve it hot, straight from the oven, and watch it become an instant crowd-pleaser.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons 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. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens (around 4–5 minutes).
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, one handful at a time, until melted and creamy.
Add the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika to the sauce. Stir to combine.
Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, mixing until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the macaroni.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
Allow the baked macaroni and cheese to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5965 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 335.5 g | 430% | |
| Saturated Fat | 188.0 g | 940% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 912 mg | 304% | |
| Sodium | 7922 mg | 344% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 491.6 g | 179% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.9 g | 75% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.8 g | ||
| Protein | 229.5 g | 459% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.9 mcg | 49% | |
| Calcium | 4581 mg | 352% | |
| Iron | 25.0 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 1615 mg | 34% | |
*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.
