Creamy Three Cheese Baked Macaroni (Printable)
Rich, ultra-creamy macaroni with three cheeses, ideal for cozy dinners and gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
06 - 2/3 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
07 - 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Topping
13 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
16 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish thoroughly.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, approximately 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is lightly golden and fragrant.
04 - Gradually pour in milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens, approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Stir in shredded cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella until completely melted and smooth. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently until every piece is evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
07 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated parmesan. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated with butter.
08 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni surface. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around edges. For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
09 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The three cheese blend creates layers of flavor that sharp cheddar alone could never achieve
- That crispy panko topping makes people fight over the corner pieces every single time
02 -
- Do not skip the step of slightly undercooking the pasta or you will end up with mushy mac and cheese
- Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference because pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
03 -
- Room temperature milk blends into the roux more smoothly than cold milk straight from the refrigerator
- Letting the dish rest for those 5 minutes before serving makes a huge difference in how well it holds its shape on the plate