Description
A delicious and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe infused with garlic flavor, perfect for cheese lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish or a large casserole dish and set it aside.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it forms a smooth paste.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for another minute.
- Stir in the sharp cheddar and mozzarella until they’re melted and the sauce is creamy. Toss in the grated Parmesan if desired.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the pot and stir until every piece is coated in the cheese sauce.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top if you like.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Feel free to mix in your favorite vegetables for added nutrition.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Macaroni and Cheese, Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food