World's Best Macaroni Cheese

Prepare to experience comfort food at its finest with the "World's Best Macaroni Cheese," a decadent recipe that combines creamy indulgence with a satisfying crunch. This ultimate mac and cheese features a trio of cheeses—sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and rich Parmesan—for a deeply flavorful and velvety sauce, elevated with Dijon mustard and aromatic garlic powder. The dish is topped with golden panko breadcrumbs infused with olive oil and smoky paprika, creating a perfectly crispy finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this baked macaroni and cheese is the ideal centerpiece for any gathering or a luxurious treat for weeknight dinners. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and serve warm for an all-time family favorite that’s as comforting as it is irresistible.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams Elbow macaroni
• 60 grams Unsalted butter
• 40 grams All-purpose flour
• 750 milliliters Whole milk
• 250 milliliters Heavy cream
• 200 grams Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 150 grams Gruyère cheese, grated
• 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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 2

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a roux. Continue whisking for 2 minutes to cook out the raw taste of the flour.

Step 3

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Cook, stirring constantly, for 4-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the grated cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.

Step 5

Add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir until well combined.

Step 6

Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and mix until the pasta is fully coated.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, and paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2171.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6029.5

Total Fat 331.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 187.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 923.5mg	0%
Sodium 7833.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 502.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 61.4g
Protein 244.2g	0%

Vitamin D 392.2IU	0%
Calcium 5081.6mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 1687.7mg	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: 50.0%

Protein: 16.4%

Carbs: 33.7%