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Creamy Mac and Cheese Bake


  • Author: Sarah

Ingredients

To create the perfect Creamy Mac and Cheese Bake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Elbow macaroni: 1 pound (450g)
  • Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick)
  • All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup
  • Whole milk: 4 cups
  • Heavy cream: 1 cup
  • Sharp cheddar cheese: 4 cups, shredded
  • Gruyere cheese: 2 cups, shredded
  • Parmesan cheese: 1 cup, grated
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon
  • Breadcrumbs: 1 cup
  • Olive oil or melted butter: 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a Creamy Mac and Cheese Bake that will leave everyone wanting more:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the macaroni: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the cheese sauce:
    1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
    2. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes until golden and bubbling.
    3. Gradually add the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
    4. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
    5. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
    6. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Dijon mustard. Mix well.
  4. Combine and bake:
    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce.
    2. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
    3. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and seasoned breadcrumbs over the macaroni and cheese.
    4. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  5. Cool and serve: Allow the mac and cheese to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce to thicken slightly and ensures perfect servings.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 650
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Protein: 27g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg