Half-and-Half Baked Macaroni with Three Cheeses

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

A rich and comforting baked macaroni dish that uses half-and-half for a luscious, creamy sauce balanced by sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook for 7 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until lightly golden and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups half-and-half, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
4. Step 4: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1 cup sharp cheddar, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp paprika until smooth.
5. Step 5: Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat thoroughly.
6. Step 6: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, sprinkle 1/2 cup bread crumbs evenly on top, and bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.