Description
A comforting dish of creamy macaroni and cheese that evokes nostalgic family gatherings and delicious flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup bread crumbs (for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add macaroni, and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve a cup of pasta water.
- Make the Roux: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 2 minutes until a paste forms.
- Add Milk and Cream: Gradually whisk in milk and cream until the mixture thickens.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Lower the heat, mix in the cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Season the Sauce: Add garlic powder, mustard powder, and salt; adjust to taste.
- Combine with Pasta: Mix cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer to a baking dish, top with bread crumbs, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize with veggies or different cheeses. This dish freezes well; just reheat gently with a splash of milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, comfort food, pasta