Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until tender according to package directions. Stir occasionally so the pasta does not stick together. Drain the pasta well using a colander and set it aside carefully.

Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt slowly. Stir gently while the butter melts completely. Melted butter creates the base for the creamy cheese sauce and helps give the mac and cheese rich homemade flavor.

Sprinkle flour into the melted butter slowly while whisking constantly. Continue stirring for about one minute until smooth. This mixture is called a roux. It helps thicken the cheese sauce and creates a creamy texture without lumps in the final dish.

Slowly add whole milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously. Stir carefully to keep the sauce smooth and creamy. Continue cooking for several minutes until the sauce begins thickening slightly. The creamy mixture creates the rich restaurant-style texture everyone loves.

Mix garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and paprika into the sauce. Stir well until evenly combined. These seasonings add warmth and savory flavor without overpowering the cheese. The paprika also gives a gentle color and slightly smoky taste.

Add cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese into the sauce gradually. Stir slowly until fully melted and smooth. The sauce should look creamy and silky. Combining different cheeses creates deeper flavor and helps achieve classic Olive Garden-style richness.

Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce carefully. Stir gently until every pasta piece becomes coated evenly. The creamy sauce should wrap around the macaroni beautifully. Let the pasta sit for a minute so it absorbs some of the cheesy flavor.

For extra texture, transfer the mac and cheese into a baking dish. Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired. Bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. This step creates a slightly crispy cheesy layer on top.

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the mac and cheese before serving. The fresh herbs add color and brightness to the creamy dish. Serve immediately while warm and cheesy. Every spoonful should taste rich, creamy and comforting from the first bite to the last.