Better Than Out of the Box Macaroni and Cheese

Level up your comfort food game with this irresistible "Better Than Out of the Box Macaroni and Cheese" recipe! Made with a creamy three-cheese blend of sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan, this homemade dish delivers rich, velvety goodness far beyond anything powdered cheese can offer. The secret lies in its luscious roux-based sauce, perfectly seasoned with garlic powder and black pepper, and its golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping infused with a hint of paprika. Quick to prepare and oven-baked to perfection in under 40 minutes, this easy weeknight favorite is perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or any day you’re craving indulgent, scratch-made macaroni and cheese. Trust us—one bite of this baked comfort classic, and you’ll never look at the boxed stuff the same way again!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.25 tsp Paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux, stirring continuously.

Step 4

Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream to the roux, ensuring no lumps form. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 5

Stir in the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Reduce the heat to low.

Step 6

Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese to the saucepan. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and fold gently to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, and paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crisp.

Step 11

Let the macaroni and cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(782.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3236.5

Total Fat 198.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 100.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 464mg	0%
Sodium 3167.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 265.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.1g	0%
Total Sugars 12.1g
Protein 77.0g	0%

Vitamin D 24IU	0%
Calcium 812.3mg	0%
Iron 12.7mg	0%
Potassium 92.3mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.6%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 33.7%