Baked Macaroni Casserole
Baked Macaroni Casserole is a comforting, oven-finished pasta dish where elbow macaroni is combined with a creamy cheese sauce, often enriched with milk, butter, and seasonings, then baked until golden and bubbly. While its roots are in European and American culinary traditions, it has become a beloved staple in home cooking worldwide, frequently customized with additions like ground meat, tomatoes, or vegetables.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is typically high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the cheese and butter, providing a good source of energy and calcium. A standard serving can range from 400 to 600 calories, depending on the richness of the sauce and any added proteins.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 430 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 42 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Calcium | 300 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Potassium | 250 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a classic 'comfort food' that evokes nostalgia and is often associated with family meals and holidays. Nutritionally, it can be a versatile base, easily boosted with fiber-rich vegetables or lean proteins to create a more balanced one-dish meal.
