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:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 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.
- Prepare the cheese sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Gradually add the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Dijon mustard. Mix well.
- Combine and bake:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- 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.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- 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