Crunchy Cheeseroni

Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game with Crunchy Cheeseroni, the ultimate comfort food that combines creamy, cheesy pasta with a golden, crispy panko topping. This baked masterpiece starts with tender elbow macaroni smothered in a rich, velvety cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and parmesan, perfectly seasoned with a hint of paprika for extra depth. A crunchy topping of olive oil-toasted panko breadcrumbs adds irresistible texture, making every bite a delightful contrast of creamy and crispy. Ready in just 40 minutes, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving indulgent comfort food. Serve it warm and garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of freshness that ties it all together. Keywords: homemade mac and cheese, baked pasta recipe, crunchy breadcrumb topping, cheesy comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Step 3

Gradually pour the milk into the roux while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan until melted and smooth.

Step 5

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 6

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large bowl, mixing well to coat all the pasta.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the cheesy macaroni mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Mix well to evenly coat the breadcrumbs, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.

Step 9

Bake the Crunchy Cheeseroni in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1395.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3324.8

Total Fat 189.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 102.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 491.8mg	0%
Sodium 5112.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 274.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.4g	0%
Total Sugars 47.2g
Protein 138.7g	0%

Vitamin D 370.1IU	0%
Calcium 2998.7mg	0%
Iron 14.4mg	0%
Potassium 1485.3mg	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: 50.8%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 32.7%