Description
A rich and creamy Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese recipe combining a blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses baked with a crunchy buttery panko topping. Perfect as a comforting holiday side dish that’s cheesy, flavorful, and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Mac and Cheese
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- Pinch of paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in whole milk and heavy cream until completely smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Cook, whisking frequently, until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add cheeses: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, and Parmesan until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated, then pour everything into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and an optional pinch of paprika. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake to finish: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the dish is bubbly. Let the mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor, add cooked chopped bacon or smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked just before serving.
- Use freshly shredded cheeses for the best melt and flavor.
- To make it gluten free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
