Description
The ultimate Gooey Mac and Cheese — irresistibly creamy, cheesy, and baked with a golden crust that melts in your mouth!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cream until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat and add cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy and melted.
- Combine pasta with cheese sauce and pour into baking dish.
- Mix melted butter with crushed crackers and sprinkle over top.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Serve hot and gooey!
Notes
💡 Tip: For extra creaminess, mix in a little cream cheese or Gruyère. This dish reheats beautifully — perfect for make-ahead dinners or holidays.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Comfort Food, Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: gooey mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked macaroni, comfort food, cheesy pasta