Dad's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy, indulgent, and packed with cheesy goodness, Dad's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food recipe the whole family will love. Featuring a luscious blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this baked macaroni dish takes classic mac and cheese to the next level with a velvety-rich sauce infused with hints of Dijon mustard and paprika. Topped with golden, buttery panko breadcrumbs for an irresistible crunch, this recipe is baked to bubbly perfection in just 25 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings, this easy-to-follow recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds. Treat your tastebuds to the unforgettable taste of homemade mac and cheese—creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese, one handful at a time, allowing each addition to melt completely before adding the next.

Step 6

Add the Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and mix it with the panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

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

Step 11

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2139.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5924.9

Total Fat 341.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 205.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 1045.8mg	0%
Sodium 7081.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 458.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.3g	0%
Total Sugars 58.2g
Protein 235.1g	0%

Vitamin D 408.1IU	0%
Calcium 4986.9mg	0%
Iron 23.6mg	0%
Potassium 1660.8mg	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: 52.6%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 31.3%