# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
04 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
05 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 3 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Topping
15 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook elbow macaroni until just al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and reserve.
03 - Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking until sauce thickens slightly, approximately 4-5 minutes.
05 - Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella cheeses, reserving 1 cup sharp cheddar for topping. Stir continuously until all cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth and homogeneous.
07 - Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and fold together until all pasta pieces are evenly coated.
08 - Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Distribute evenly and top with reserved 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese.
09 - Combine panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the cheese layer for enhanced textural contrast.
10 - Bake for 30-35 minutes until the mixture is bubbly around the edges and the top is golden brown.
11 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before portioning. This resting period allows the sauce to set slightly for cleaner serving.
