Description
Celebrate Thanksgiving with this rich, creamy, and flavorful GOOD MAC n CHEESE — a comfort food twist with festive flavors! 🧀🍂
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup smoked Gouda, shredded
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Optional: roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, or crispy bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, Gouda, garlic powder, smoked paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until creamy.
- Combine pasta with cheese sauce and optional roasted veggies or bacon, then pour into the baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until golden, bubbly, and delicious. Serve hot!
Notes
💡 Tip: This festive mac and cheese pairs beautifully with turkey and other Thanksgiving sides. Customize with seasonal flavors like roasted squash or caramelized onions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Comfort Food, Holiday Recipes
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: thanksgiving mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, comfort food, holiday side dish