- 12 oz (340g) elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (720ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (for extra creaminess)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup (50g) Parmesan cheese (for extra flavor)
For the Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)