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Ultimate Cheesy Heaven Baked Macaroni & Cheese

A creamy, dreamy baked macaroni and cheese dish that elevates the classic comfort food to a new level of cheesy bliss.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Cheese Sauce Ingredients
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Preparing the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until smooth.
  2. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
  3. Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyere cheese until fully melted and creamy.
  4. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, stirring gently until evenly coated.
Baking
  1. Pour the cheesy pasta into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top for a delightful crunch.
  3. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and crispy.
Serving
  1. Let cool briefly before serving. Grab a big spoon and dig in!

Notes

Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations. If storing leftovers, they can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, or up to 3 months in the freezer. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, adding a splash of milk to help retain creaminess.