Cheesy Cheese Baked Macaroni

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Cheesy Cheese Baked Macaroni, a dish that takes classic mac and cheese to the next level. Featuring a luscious three-cheese sauce made with cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and a creamy twist from cream cheese, this recipe guarantees a decadently rich and velvety texture. Topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs enhanced with a drizzle of olive oil, every bite is a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. Quick to prepare and baked to golden perfection, it’s an easy weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing side dish that’s ready in under an hour. Garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of brightness, this baked macaroni is a cheesy masterpiece your family will adore. Ideal for those searching for creamy, baked mac and cheese recipes or cheesy pasta dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 120 grams cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Lower the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and cream cheese until all the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well.

Step 7

Combine the drained macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring until all the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the macaroni.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2342.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6179.7

Total Fat 320.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 177.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 888.4mg	0%
Sodium 9506.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 520.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.2g	0%
Total Sugars 73.4g
Protein 292.2g	0%

Vitamin D 486.4IU	0%
Calcium 6150.6mg	0%
Iron 24.7mg	0%
Potassium 2268.6mg	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: 47.0%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 34.0%