Creamy Three Cheese Baked Macaroni (Printable)
Rich, ultra-creamy macaroni with three cheeses and golden breadcrumb topping. Perfect 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
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. 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 and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden, stirring constantly.
04 - Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps, until sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Add Dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to evenly coat. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
07 - In a small bowl, mix panko with melted butter and parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Broil for 2–3 minutes for extra crispness if desired.
09 - Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if using.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The three cheese blend creates layers of flavor that sharp cheddar alone could never achieve
- That golden panko topping adds the perfect crunch contrast to the silky pasta underneath
- It feeds a crowd and actually tastes better as leftovers the next day
02 -
- Undercooking the pasta is crucial since it continues cooking in the oven
- Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference in how smoothly the sauce melts
- Whisking constantly while adding milk prevents those frustrating lumps
03 -
- Add 2 tbsp cream cheese to the sauce for extra velvety richness
- Try smoked gouda or fontina for a completely different flavor profile