Macaroni au Gratin is a classic comfort food dish that combines the creamy richness of a cheese sauce with the satisfying bite of elbow macaroni, all baked to perfection. This delectable recipe is a favorite among both kids and adults for its irresistible combination of cheesy goodness and crispy golden topping. Whether you're preparing it as a hearty weeknight dinner or as a delightful addition to your holiday feast, Macaroni au Gratin never fails to please the palate.

In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to create a luscious cheese sauce from scratch, which is the heart of this dish. You'll then mix the cheese sauce with perfectly cooked macaroni and finish it with a crispy breadcrumb topping for that delightful contrast in texture.Macaroni au Gratin is versatile and allows for personalization. You can experiment by adding ingredients like bacon, vegetables, or herbs to tailor it to your taste. Whether served as a side dish or the main event, this creamy and cheesy delight is sure to become a family favorite.So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to create a mouthwatering Macaroni au Gratin that will leave your loved ones asking for seconds. It's time to dive into the world of cheesy, baked pasta perfection!

Here's a recipe for Macaroni au Gratin, a delicious and cheesy baked pasta dish:

Ingredients:

For the Macaroni:

- 2 cups elbow macaroni

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 2 cups milk

- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)

For the Topping:

- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

- 2 tablespoons melted butter

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish (9x13 inches) or a similar-sized ovenproof dish.

2. Cook the Macaroni:

  - Boil the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until it's just slightly undercooked (usually al dente). Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:

  - In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

  - Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes a light golden color, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

  - Gradually whisk in the milk to create a smooth sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, usually 5-7 minutes.

  - Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika (if using). Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

4. Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce:

  - Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir until the macaroni is well coated with the cheese sauce.

5. Transfer to the Baking Dish:

  - Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

6. Make the Topping:

  - In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the breadcrumbs are coated with butter.

7. Add the Topping:

  - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish.

8. Bake:

  - Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and the macaroni and cheese is bubbling around the edges.

9. Serve:

  - Remove the Macaroni au Gratin from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Macaroni au Gratin makes for a delicious and comforting meal. You can also customize it by adding other ingredients like cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or sautéed vegetables to make it even more flavorful.

Here are the approximate nutritional values for the ingredients in your macaroni and cheese recipe.

Keep in mind that these values can vary based on the specific brands and products you use and the portion sizes you serve. These values are for the entire recipe, so you would need to divide them by the number of servings you plan to have to get the values per serving.

For the Macaroni (Entire Recipe):

- Calories: ~2,130 calories

- Protein: ~95 grams

- Carbohydrates: ~155 grams

- Dietary Fiber: ~7 grams

- Sugars: ~20 grams

- Fat: ~128 grams

- Saturated Fat: ~77 grams

- Cholesterol: ~359 milligrams

- Sodium: ~3,195 milligrams

For the Topping (Entire Recipe):

- Calories: ~360 calories

- Protein: ~7 grams

- Carbohydrates: ~26 grams

- Dietary Fiber: ~2 grams

- Sugars: ~2 grams

- Fat: ~25 grams

- Saturated Fat: ~14 grams

- Cholesterol: ~50 milligrams

- Sodium: ~543 milligrams

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Additionally, the portion size you serve will determine the nutritional values for an individual serving.