Creamy Baked Macaroni Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Baked Macaroni Cheese recipe, a decadent twist on the classic dish. Featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a velvety sauce made from a trio of cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this dish is rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy. A hint of Dijon mustard and paprika adds depth, while a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping provides the perfect crunchy contrast. With just 15 minutes of prep time and an oven-baked finish, this family-friendly recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Serve it piping hot, and watch it disappear from the table! Perfectly comforting and crowd-pleasing, this baked macaroni and cheese will become your go-to for hearty, homestyle meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams Elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, and paprika. Remove the saucepan from heat and gradually add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until smooth and fully melted.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 8

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

Step 9

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2341.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6826.1

Total Fat 401.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 229.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 1134.3mg	0%
Sodium 10017.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 470.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.4g	0%
Total Sugars 55.0g
Protein 309.6g	0%

Vitamin D 394.1IU	0%
Calcium 6819.3mg	0%
Iron 23.9mg	0%
Potassium 1901.2mg	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: 53.7%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 28.0%