Description
Craving the ultimate comfort food? This rich mac and cheese is your answer. It’s made with a creamy blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and cream cheese, layered with tender elbow macaroni, and finished with a golden, buttery panko topping. Perfect for easy dinner nights, potlucks, or whenever you need delicious food ideas, this recipe delivers cheesy satisfaction in every bite. Whether you’re after a quick dinner or indulgent side dish, this easy recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
4 oz cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (for topping)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
4. Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Then add the cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Fold in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated.
7. In a bowl, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter with panko breadcrumbs.
8. Pour mac and cheese into a greased baking dish and top with the breadcrumb mixture.
9. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden brown.
10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Grate your own cheese for the best melting texture and flavor.
Slightly undercook the pasta to avoid mushiness after baking.
Warm the milk before adding to the roux to prevent lumps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: rich mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy pasta, baked mac