Leslie's Macaroni Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Leslie's Macaroni Cheese, a rich and creamy baked pasta dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni coated in a luxurious three-cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyere, and savory Parmesan, this recipe takes classic mac and cheese to new heights. The sauce is infused with a hint of Dijon mustard, paprika, and black pepper for a flavorful depth, while a golden, buttery panko bread crumb topping adds the perfect crunch. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a bubbling, golden finish from the oven, this crowd-pleaser serves six and is guaranteed to be a family favorite. Whether you're craving a cozy meal or looking to impress guests, Leslie's Macaroni Cheese is your go-to recipe for cheesy perfection.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 g Elbow macaroni
• 60 g Unsalted butter
• 40 g All-purpose flour
• 700 ml Whole milk
• 120 ml Heavy cream
• 300 g Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 200 g Gruyere cheese, grated
• 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1.5 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Paprika
• 80 g Panko bread crumbs
• 30 g Unsalted butter (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). 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 until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt 60 g of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns lightly golden.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Add the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine, then toss the cooked macaroni into the sauce until evenly coated.

Step 7

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

Step 8

In a small skillet, melt 30 g of butter over medium heat. Add the panko bread crumbs and toast until lightly golden, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 9

Sprinkle the toasted bread crumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and golden brown.

Step 11

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2067.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5948.2

Total Fat 329.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 195.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 954.4mg	0%
Sodium 7653.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 478.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 51.8g
Protein 258.9g	0%

Vitamin D 408.7IU	0%
Calcium 5795.1mg	0%
Iron 24.6mg	0%
Potassium 1749.1mg	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: 50.1%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 32.4%