Description
Creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked mac and cheese recipe ready in 30 minutes — the perfect family favorite!
Ingredients
12 oz elbow macaroni
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
3 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 ½ cups cheddar cheese
1 cup Gruyère or mozzarella
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp melted butter
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Boil pasta until al dente and drain.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour to form roux.
3. Gradually add milk and cream, whisk until thickened.
4. Add cheeses and seasonings, stir until melted.
5. Combine sauce with pasta and mix well.
6. Transfer to baking dish, top with cheese or breadcrumbs.
7. Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until golden.
8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for best melt.
For lighter version, use 2% milk.
Add vegetables or turkey bacon for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg