3.5 from 30 votes
Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
We're using a combination of cheeses to make the ultimate cheese sauce to coat all that macaroni. This is one of the creamiest baked mac and cheese recipes, so rich and decadent!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 436 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces macaroni
- 1 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 5 tablespoons butter divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar shredded
- 4 ounces gruyere shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta for one minute less than package directions state.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium sized pot and add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly, over low heat for 2 minutes.
- Continue whisking and slowly pour in the milk and cream. Cook for another 2 minutes until thickened and smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar, gruyere, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Return to low heat in short bursts if needed to melt the cheese fully.
- Drain the pasta and add to the cheese sauce. Stir to coat. Pour mixture into a buttered 2 quart baking dish.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and mix it with the Panko, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
- Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the bread crumbs are browned and crispy.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can use any variety of cheese you like, but make sure to choose cheese that melts nicely. A bit of smoked gouda is a great addition here.
- This recipe was lightly adapted from Ina Garten.
Nutrition Information
Calories
436kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
27g
(42%)
Saturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Cholesterol
78mg
(26%)
Sodium
1267mg
(53%)
Potassium
209mg
(6%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
863IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
0.1mg
(0%)
Calcium
397mg
(40%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 436kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 78mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 1267mg | 53% |
| Potassium | 209mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 863IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 397mg | 40% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.