Jen's Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, Jen's Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food classic elevated with a gourmet touch. Featuring a rich trio of sharp cheddar, gooey mozzarella, and nutty parmesan, this dish combines luxurious flavor with a velvety texture. Crafted with a luscious bechamel sauce and topped with buttery, golden breadcrumbs, every bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a creamy, cheesy bliss. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings, this baked mac and cheese recipe is as easy to prepare as it is indulgent. Ready in just 45 minutes and serving up to eight, it’s a crowd-pleasing favorite that pairs beautifully with fresh salads or roasted vegetables. Bring comfort to your table with this effortlessly delicious, oven-baked masterpiece!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 450 grams elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Step 6

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until evenly coated.

Step 7

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

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.

Step 10

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2082.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5716.2

Total Fat 306.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 180.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 934.3mg	0%
Sodium 7882.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 500.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.3g	0%
Total Sugars 62.3g
Protein 215.3g	0%

Vitamin D 397.3IU	0%
Calcium 4222.6mg	0%
Iron 25.8mg	0%
Potassium 1549.8mg	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: 49.1%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 35.6%