Mac & Cheese Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A decadent baked macaroni and cheese with a golden breadcrumb crust, featuring sharp cheddar and Gruyère for a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 50 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 480 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 8 oz elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 4 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until golden. Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk while scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent lumps, then bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low and stir in 8 oz grated sharp cheddar and 4 oz grated Gruyère until fully melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, then remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: Pour cheese sauce over drained macaroni in a large bowl and toss until fully coated. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs with 1 tbsp chopped parsley, then sprinkle evenly over the top.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling, then let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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