Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese

Indulge in the timeless comfort of "Great Grammy's Macaroni Cheese," a nostalgic family recipe bursting with creamy, cheesy goodness and layers of rich flavor. This classic dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious, velvety sauce made from a trio of cheeses—sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and savory Parmesan. Enhanced with a hint of ground mustard, paprika, and black pepper, every bite is perfectly balanced and satisfyingly savory. Topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate crunchy contrast, this oven-baked macaroni and cheese is the perfect centerpiece for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy evenings at home. With a prep time of just 20 minutes, it’s an irresistible comfort food that’s both easy to make and guaranteed to impress! Cooking keywords: classic macaroni and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy cheese sauce, breadcrumb topping, comfort food recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 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 Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 tsp Ground mustard
• 0.5 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly 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 al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue stirring over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Gruyère cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, and stir to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 8

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

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, remaining Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 11

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

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy Great Grammy’s creamy, cheesy, and perfectly baked macaroni and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1822.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4973.5

Total Fat 392.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 230.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 1130.0mg	0%
Sodium 9645.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 113.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.1g	0%
Total Sugars 39.4g
Protein 241.9g	0%

Vitamin D 400.8IU	0%
Calcium 7092.6mg	0%
Iron 6.5mg	0%
Potassium 1863.9mg	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: 71.3%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 9.2%