Description
This Creamy Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese is a rich and decadent side dish, perfect for your holiday feast. It features a velvety cheese sauce and a golden-brown crust, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. This is the base for your Thanksgiving Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.
- In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This is a key step for the Best Creamy Mac and Cheese for Thanksgiving.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add the shredded cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This makes it a Creamy Thanksgiving Mac Cheese.
- Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly. This ensures your Thanksgiving Dinner Mac and Cheese is perfectly coated.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. This creates the topping for your Oven-Baked Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. This is the final step for your Homemade Creamy Thanksgiving Macaroni Cheese.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Rich and Creamy Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese.
Notes
- For an even richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- You can substitute other cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or Fontina for a different flavor profile in your Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese.
- To make this a Southern Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese, consider adding a bit of smoked paprika.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 100mg