Description
A rich and creamy baked mac and cheese recipe that is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add cooked bacon or ham to the macaroni before baking.
- Feel free to mix in vegetables like broccoli or spinach for added nutrition.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg