Classic Baked Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Classic Baked Mac and Cheese recipe, a rich and creamy dish guaranteed to become a family favorite. Featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a velvety cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and nutty gruyere, this recipe takes mac and cheese to gourmet heights. A golden breadcrumb topping, infused with grated parmesan and a touch of olive oil, adds an irresistible crunch to every bite. Perfectly seasoned with paprika for a subtle kick, this baked masterpiece is easy to prepare with just 20 minutes of prep time and delivers an ooey-gooey, crowd-pleasing casserole in under an hour. Ideal for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or potluck parties, this baked mac and cheese will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour, whisking constantly for about 1 minute until smooth.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until the mixture is thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar and gruyere cheeses until melted and smooth.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until well combined.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and olive oil until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the mac and cheese.

Step 11

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

Step 12

Let the mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2355.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6240.2

Total Fat 335.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 193.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.4g
Cholesterol 1001.1mg	0%
Sodium 9592.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 517.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 70.9g
Protein 307.5g	0%

Vitamin D 573.4IU	0%
Calcium 7077.0mg	0%
Iron 27.1mg	0%
Potassium 2189.0mg	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: 47.8%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 32.7%