Grandma's Homemade Mac Cheese

Indulge in the comforting, nostalgic flavors of Grandma's Homemade Mac & Cheese, a timeless classic that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special family gatherings. This recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a creamy, velvety cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. A hint of paprika adds subtle warmth, while a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping provides the ideal finishing touch. Made with a rich blend of whole milk and heavy cream for ultimate creaminess, this baked mac and cheese comes together in under an hour and serves a crowd of eight. Whether you're craving cozy comfort food or planning a dinner that everyone will devour, this dish delivers hearty, cheesy perfection.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

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 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a smooth roux. Cook the flour for about 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, until it turns golden and loses its raw taste.

Step 4

Gradually pour the milk and heavy cream into the saucepan, whisking to combine. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Step 6

Combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes, and serve warm. Enjoy your homemade mac & cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2104.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5826.9

Total Fat 331.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 193.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 979.8mg	0%
Sodium 7290.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 456.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.3g	0%
Total Sugars 57.2g
Protein 238.9g	0%

Vitamin D 394.1IU	0%
Calcium 5021.1mg	0%
Iron 23.2mg	0%
Potassium 1615.0mg	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: 51.8%

Protein: 16.6%

Carbs: 31.6%