L's Mac Cheese Like Grandmom's

Indulge in the creamy, comforting flavors of "L's Mac Cheese Like Grandmom's," a classic baked mac and cheese recipe that brings the nostalgia of homemade cooking right to your table. This dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious three-cheese sauce featuring sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and savory Parmesan for a rich, velvety texture. Topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs seasoned with paprika, this oven-baked masterpiece boasts the perfect balance of crunch and creaminess. With just 15 minutes of prep and a total cook time of under an hour, it’s an ideal choice for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave the ultimate comfort food. Relive the warmth of tradition with this crowd-pleasing recipe, sure to delight both kids and adults alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 oz Elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Ground mustard powder
• 3 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1.5 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.5 tsp Paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, whisking continuously, for 1 minute to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to ensure no lumps form. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and ground mustard powder. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and add the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses, reserving 1/4 cup of the Parmesan for topping. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix gently to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with olive oil, the reserved Parmesan cheese, and paprika. Mix until the breadcrumbs are lightly coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese in the baking dish.

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 the mac & cheese cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2184.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6238.3

Total Fat 354.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 203.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 1031.8mg	0%
Sodium 8459.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 502.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.7g	0%
Total Sugars 59.2g
Protein 255.9g	0%

Vitamin D 430.1IU	0%
Calcium 5440.9mg	0%
Iron 26.3mg	0%
Potassium 1671.0mg	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: 51.2%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 32.3%