Star Jone's Famous to Die for Mac and Cheese

Indulge in pure comfort with Star Jone's Famous To Die For Mac and Cheese, a luxurious twist on the classic dish that's packed with creamy, cheesy goodness. This recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, velvety cheese sauce featuring sharp cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan, complemented by subtle hints of garlic and paprika for an elevated flavor profile. The golden, buttery panko breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch that perfectly contrasts the creamy base. Ready in under an hour, this baked mac and cheese masterpiece is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for indulgence. With keywords like "homemade mac and cheese," "cheesy comfort food," and "baked macaroni recipe," it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups gruyere cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter for topping

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 unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to stir until the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low, and add sharp cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses, one handful at a time. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in the pot, stirring to evenly coat the pasta.

Step 8

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

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter for topping. Sprinkle the buttery breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Allow the mac and cheese to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2836.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8112.0

Total Fat 521.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 315.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g
Cholesterol 1600.2mg	0%
Sodium 10104.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 500.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 68.9g
Protein 331.5g	0%

Vitamin D 456.8IU	0%
Calcium 7896.0mg	0%
Iron 22.1mg	0%
Potassium 1630.3mg	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: 58.5%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 25.0%