Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe. Rich, cheesy, and satisfying, it’s a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Cheese Mixture:
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping (Optional):
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Macaroni: Cook the macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk and cream, season, and melt in cheeses.
- Combine and Bake: Mix pasta with cheese sauce, transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs if desired, and bake until golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add an additional 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
- You can substitute the cheeses with your favorites such as Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Fontina.
- For a crispy top without breadcrumbs, broil the dish for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
