Description
This Gourmet Baked Mac and Cheese with a Crunch is the ultimate comfort food. Gooey cheese sauce coats tender pasta while a golden, crispy topping adds irresistible texture. Perfect as a hearty main dish or indulgent side, this recipe is guaranteed to please family and guests alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add milk and cream, whisking until smooth.
- Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until melted. Add mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Fold pasta into sauce and transfer to baking dish.
- Mix panko with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make-ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Add-ins: Bacon, lobster, or roasted veggies can be stirred in.
- Gluten-free option: Swap pasta and breadcrumbs for gluten-free versions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg