Mandy's Baked Mac Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Mandy's Baked Mac and Cheese, a rich and creamy dish that takes classic macaroni and cheese to a whole new level. Featuring a decadently smooth cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe pairs perfectly cooked elbow macaroni with a luscious blend of whole milk and heavy cream. The golden, crispy topping of seasoned panko breadcrumbs, kissed with garlic powder and olive oil, adds the ideal crunchy contrast to every creamy bite. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions, this oven-baked masterpiece is ready in under an hour and serves up to eight. Discover why Mandy’s Baked Mac and Cheese is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become your go-to comfort classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

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

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps remain. Cook until the mixture begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the shredded cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses, a handful at a time, until melted and smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and ground mustard. Mix well.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until evenly coated, then sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2389.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7218.0

Total Fat 436.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 251.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 1257.7mg	0%
Sodium 10445.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 462.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.0g	0%
Total Sugars 55.9g
Protein 340.1g	0%

Vitamin D 407.5IU	0%
Calcium 8224.1mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 1935.9mg	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: 55.0%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 25.9%