The Best Baked Mac and Cheese
This recipe is a creamy, cheesy extravagance that the whole family will savor. In other words…it’s simply The Best Baked Mac and Cheese.
Servings: 8
Calories: 763kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni noodles
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- ½ cup flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half and half
- 5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese - divided
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere -divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Optional: Fresh Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking pan. Cook noodles according to package directions, taking two minutes off the recommended time.
- While the noodles are cooking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and whisk. Cook for two minutes.
- Slowly add the milk and half and half, whisking constantly. Add about ½ cup at a time, until it thickens before adding more. Cook until the sauce is nice and thick.
- Add 1½ cup of the Gruyere and 1½ cup of cheddar into the mixture and stir until melted. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, mix the noodles with the cheese sauce. Mix together until well combined.
- Pour the remaining noodles mixture on top.
- Finish the dish by topping with the rest of the shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is nice and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 169mg | Sodium: 924mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1717IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 979mg | Iron: 2mg