Mrs B's Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with "Mrs B's Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese," a rich and creamy dish that’s destined to be a family favorite. This recipe takes classic mac and cheese to the next level with a velvety sauce made from a luxurious blend of sharp cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheeses, paired with a touch of Dijon mustard for a subtle tang. Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is coated in this decadent cheese sauce, then baked to golden perfection under a crispy, buttery panko breadcrumb topping. With just a 20-minute prep time and simple step-by-step instructions, this oven-baked mac and cheese is perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or anytime you’re craving comfort food at its finest. Serve it as a hearty main dish or an irresistible side – either way, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

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 the 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 pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to ensure no lumps form. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until thickened.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, and grated parmesan cheese, reserving a small handful of each for the topping. Stir until the cheeses have completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Mix in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved cheeses evenly over the top.

Step 9

In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Let the macaroni and cheese cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2233.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6492.1

Total Fat 392.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 221.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 1131.8mg	0%
Sodium 8186.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 455.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.4g	0%
Total Sugars 55.0g
Protein 279.1g	0%

Vitamin D 442.1IU	0%
Calcium 6382.0mg	0%
Iron 23.6mg	0%
Potassium 1703.1mg	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: 54.6%

Protein: 17.2%

Carbs: 28.2%