Macaroni 3 Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, golden-baked Macaroni 3 Cheese! Featuring a rich blend of sharp cheddar, melty mozzarella, and nutty parmesan, this dish delivers a trifecta of cheesy goodness in every bite. The macaroni is coated in a luscious, velvety cheese sauce made from scratch, then topped with crispy, golden panko breadcrumbs for the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Quick to prepare in just 15 minutes and baked to perfection, this hearty casserole is ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday feasts. Keywords: creamy macaroni and cheese, three-cheese macaroni, baked mac and cheese.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps remain. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese, one handful at a time, allowing each batch to melt before adding the next. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated.
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, comforting Macaroni 3 Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
979 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 55.3 g | 71% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.0 g | 160% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 146 mg | 49% | |
| Sodium | 1270 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.0 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.7 g | ||
| Protein | 40.0 g | 80% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 848 mg | 65% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 349 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
