Description
A comforting and creamy baked mac and cheese dish that brings families together with its rich flavors and nostalgic memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of flour to create a roux, stirring until it’s light golden brown.
- Slowly whisk in 3 cups of whole milk, followed by 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
- Remove from heat and add 3 cups of shredded cheese, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of mustard powder.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked pasta, making sure each piece is generously coated. Transfer to the greased baking dish.
- For the topping, mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs with melted butter and a little cheese. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the pasta.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, sprinkle freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives just before serving. If you want to incorporate veggies, sautéed spinach or zucchini work well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked pasta, comfort food, family recipe, cheese casserole