Creamy Baked Macaroni

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Baked Macaroni recipe—an irresistible blend of gooey cheese and golden-crisp topping. Featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a luscious sauce made with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this dish achieves rich, velvety perfection with the addition of whole milk and heavy cream. A touch of paprika adds subtle warmth, while a buttery panko breadcrumb topping delivers that satisfying crunch in every bite. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection in just 35 minutes, this easy yet indulgent classic is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday feasts. Creamy, cheesy, and downright delicious—this baked macaroni will be the star of any spread!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 400 grams elbow macaroni
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk and heavy cream to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the mixture over medium heat until thickened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, mixing until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth. Add salt, black pepper, and paprika for seasoning.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy baked macaroni!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1824.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4915.6

Total Fat 283.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 162.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 796.0mg	0%
Sodium 5203.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 412.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.6g	0%
Total Sugars 53.3g
Protein 164.7g	0%

Vitamin D 322.1IU	0%
Calcium 3002.4mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 1189.0mg	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: 52.5%

Protein: 13.6%

Carbs: 34.0%