Decadent Baked Mac and Cheese

Decadent Baked Mac and Cheese
  • PREP TIME
    15 mins
  • COOK TIME
    30 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    45 mins
  • SERVING
    8 People
  • VIEWS
    18

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food: a luxuriously rich and creamy baked macaroni and cheese, elevated with a symphony of cheeses. This isn't your everyday mac – it's a decadent experience perfect for special occasions (or when you just need a serious cheese fix!).

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    15 g
  • Cholesterol
    69 mg
  • Fiber
    1 g
  • Protein
    14 g
  • Saturated Fat
    13 g
  • Sodium
    402 mg
  • Sugar
    1 g
  • Fat
    21 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). (5 minutes)

02

Step

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions, about 11 minutes, until al dente. Drain well.

03

Step

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. (2 minutes)

04

Step

Stir in the heavy cream, half-and-half, and garlic salt. (1 minute)

05

Step

Add the Gruyere, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan, and Oaxaca cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. (5 minutes)

06

Step

Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to ensure every strand is generously coated. (2 minutes)

07

Step

Lightly coat a casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared dish. (1 minute)

08

Step

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. (1 minute)

09

Step

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and lightly golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving. (20 minutes)

For an even richer flavor, consider using browned butter instead of regular melted butter.
Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations! Fontina, provolone, or even a touch of blue cheese can add interesting layers of flavor.
If you want a crispy top, broil the mac and cheese for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
For a gourmet twist, top with breadcrumbs before baking.

Breana Krajcik

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.8/ 5 ( 6 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (6)
  • Cristal Lakin

    The combination of cheeses is perfect. It's so decadent and delicious.

  • Edyth Gusikowski

    My kids absolutely devoured this mac and cheese. It's their new favorite!

  • Tyrese Wolff

    I've made this recipe several times, and it always turns out perfectly.

  • Abbie Okon

    I added a little bit of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.

  • Chad Larkin

    I made this for a potluck, and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it.

  • Shanon Mitchell

    This recipe is amazing! The cheese sauce is so creamy and flavorful.

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