Description

A rich, creamy, and golden baked mac & cheese casserole topped with buttery breadcrumbs. Perfect comfort food for weeknights or gatherings, with a blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella or Gruyère, and Parmesan.

Ingredients

12 oz elbow macaroni (or other short pasta)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk (whole or 2%)

1 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)

1 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyère

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)

2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)

Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk and cream until smooth. Cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Remove the pot from heat and mix in 2 1/2 cups of cheddar, the mozzarella (or Gruyère), and the Parmesan until melted and creamy.
Toss the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Combine the breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the pasta. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
Let cool slightly before serving warm. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Use a mix of cheeses for deeper flavor—sharp cheddar, mozzarella or Gruyère, and Parmesan work well together.

Add cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or vegetables for variation.

For gluten-free: use GF pasta, flour, and breadcrumbs.

To prevent dryness, make the sauce extra creamy and consider covering with foil during baking.

Reheats well in the oven (covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes) or microwave on medium power.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 75mg