Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Add the water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Stir in the dried elbow pasta and cook it for the minimum time in the package directions. If it says 6-8 minutes, cook it for 6 minutes so they're al-dente (the noodles will finish cooking in the oven).

Step 3

Drain the pasta and add it to a baking dish.

Step 4

Make the cream sauce. Place a medium saucepan on the stove over medium heat and pour in the heavy cream. Add in 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, the gruyere cheese, the smoked paprika, and 1/2 a teaspoon of salt. Let the cheese melt and then bring the mixture to a simmer. Keep stirring until the cheese sauce is smooth.

Step 5

Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and combine.

Step 6

Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the top of the baked mac n cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Serve the dish hot and enjoy!