White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, this White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate upgrade to a classic favorite. Made with a rich blend of melted white cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe balances creamy indulgence with a crisp, golden panko breadcrumb topping for perfect texture in every bite. A velvety roux made with whole milk and heavy cream ensures a luscious sauce, enhanced by subtle hints of garlic and onion powder for a gourmet twist. Baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday sides, or sharing at potlucks. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and enjoy this elevated macaroni and cheese masterpiece that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 3 cups White cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

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 form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps form. Cook the mixture for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the white cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in the saucepan, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2157.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6179.4

Total Fat 350.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 206.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 1002.3mg	0%
Sodium 8849.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 464.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.5g	0%
Total Sugars 55.1g
Protein 274.0g	0%

Vitamin D 394.1IU	0%
Calcium 5972.3mg	0%
Iron 21.4mg	0%
Potassium 1685.9mg	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: 51.6%

Protein: 17.9%

Carbs: 30.4%