Description
Golden, creamy, and oven-kissed, this Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food dream. Made with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyère, it delivers rich flavor and stretch in every bite. Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner, need a crowd-pleasing holiday side, or searching for easy dinner ideas, this cheesy bake delivers. Perfect for quick comfort meals, satisfying food ideas, and weeknight family wins.
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Continue whisking for 5–6 minutes until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyère until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
5. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and stir to combine.
6. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with panko breadcrumbs if using.
7. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
Grate your cheese fresh for best melt and texture—pre-shredded cheese can turn grainy.
For a crispier topping, broil the dish for 2–3 minutes after baking.
You can swap the cheeses based on preference—Fontina, Colby, or Monterey Jack work well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: macaroni and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac, comfort food