Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection, this dish is a must-have for your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Blend:
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping:
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, and cook macaroni until al dente. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk and cream, then season with mustard, spices, salt, and pepper.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until melted. Mix in macaroni and transfer to baking dish.
- Add Topping and Bake: Combine breadcrumbs with butter, sprinkle over mac and cheese, bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Rest and garnish before serving.
Notes
- Add cooked crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, or a pinch of cayenne for extra flavor.
- You can assemble the dish ahead and refrigerate—just bake an additional 10 minutes if chilled.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
