Description
A creamy and cheesy mac and cheese dish perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the sauce.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider adding cooked bacon or sausage.
- Feel free to mix in vegetables like broccoli or spinach for added nutrition.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Thanksgiving, Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta