Creamy Three Cheese Baked Macaroni (Printable)

Rich, ultra-creamy macaroni with three cheese blend. Perfect cozy comfort food for gatherings.

# What You 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 (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp 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 cooking and stirring for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella cheeses 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 to coat evenly. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
07 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated parmesan. Mix until evenly distributed.
08 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around edges.
09 - For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes watching closely to prevent burning. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The three cheese blend creates layers of flavor that feel like a warm hug
  • This recipe delivers restaurant quality results with zero fuss or fancy techniques
  • The crispy panko topping transforms ordinary pasta into something extraordinary
02 -
  • Overcooking the pasta before baking is the most common mistake, so pull it early
  • Grating your own cheese makes an enormous difference in texture and melting ability
  • The sauce will look thin before baking but thickens beautifully in the oven
03 -
  • Use freshly shredded cheese from blocks rather than pre shredded bags for better melting
  • Warm your milk slightly before adding to prevent the sauce from breaking

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