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Loaded with sharp cheddar, Gruyère and Parmesan cheese, this three cheese mac and cheese is rich and creamy and loved by both children and adults.
Have you ever asked anyone if they like macaroni and cheese and their answer is no? Well it might not be a question that you’ve thought of, as everyone likes mac and cheese.
It’s comfort food 101. I’ve made few different versions myself – from smoked gouda bacon mac and cheese to pesto goat cheese mac and cheese and this three cheese mac and cheese is the latest and greatest.
Well all macaroni and cheese recipes are great, but the sharpness you get from the cheddar and Parmesan and creaminess you get from the Gruyère makes this recipe tough to beat. This recipe is great on its own or as a side so give it a try.
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Recipe Ingredients
- Macaroni – you can use other pasta but it is called macaroni and cheese for a reason.
- Unsalted butter – works with the flour to make a roux.
- All-purpose flour – helps thicken the sauce.
- Dry mustard and black pepper – enhances the flavor.
- Whole milk – you want the fat of whole milk.
- Sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan – the combination makes for a tasty dish.
How to Make Mac and Cheese
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook macaroni according to package and set aside. Grate the cheese while the water is coming to a boil.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter and stir in flour, dry mustard and black pepper. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Gradually add milk and cook until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 10 minutes. You’ll want to stir constantly.
- Remove sauce from heat and add 3 cups cheddar/Gruyère cheese mixture as well as Parmesan cheese and whisk until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add pasta and mix until everything is coated. Pour half of the pasta into a 9×13 greased baking dish or 12 inch cast iron skillet. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheddar/Gruyère cheese mixture evenly throughout and then the remaining pasta. Top with remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar/Gruyère cheese mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Can You Make Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time?
Yes. Just prepare all the way to where the macaroni is in the baking dish. Cool before topping with the remaining cheese so it doesn’t melt. Then refrigerate or freeze before baking the day you need it.
You can keep in the fridge for about 3 days before using. You can freeze for 3 months before baking. If you freeze, you need to allow to that before baking per the recipe.
What are the Best Cheeses for Macaroni and Cheese?
A combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère give you that great taste and creaminess you expect from macaroni and cheese. The Parmesan just adds an additional sharpness to it.
Why No Crumb Topping?
For this mac and cheese, to me the star is the cheese. You want that melted, crusty cheese texture that just adds to how good this recipe is.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- No overcooked pasta – cook the macaroni al dente according to the package instructions. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven while it’s in the sauce.
- Freshly grated cheese – don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t taste as good and also has addition ingredients that you don’t need.
- Stir constantly – once the milk is added, you must stir constantly as it heats up and becomes thick. Otherwise you’ll have burnt milk on the bottom.
- Lots of sauce – who likes a dry macaroni and cheese? At first when making this, you’ll think it is too much sauce but believe me when that the macaroni soaks it up.
- Create layers – you’ll notice only have of the cheese goes in the sauce. When preparing the macaroni and cheese, you add only half of the pasta to the baking dish then 1 1/2 cups of cheese. You then add the remaining half of the pasta before topping with the remaining cheese.
Other Pasta Recipes
- Baked Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Baked Rigatoni with Prosciutto
- Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
If you’ve tried this three cheese mac and cheese or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.
Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb macaroni
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups milk
- 4 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook macaroni according to package and set aside.
- While water is coming up to a boil, you'll want to grate the sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheese and toss to combine.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter. Stir in flour, dry mustard and black pepper. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until well combined. Gradually add milk and cook until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 10 minutes. You'll want to stir constantly.
- Remove sauce from heat and gradually add 3 cups cheddar/Gruyère cheese mixture as well as Parmesan cheese and whisk until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add pasta and mix until everything is coated. Pour half of the mac and cheese into a 9×13 greased baking dish or 12 inch cast iron skillet. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheddar/Gruyère cheese mixture evenly throughout and then the remaining mac and cheese. Top with remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar/Gruyère cheese mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- No overcooked pasta – cook the macaroni al dente according to the package instructions. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven while it’s in the sauce.
- Freshly grated cheese – don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t taste as good and also has addition ingredients that you don’t need.
- Stir constantly – once the milk is added, you must stir constantly as it heats up and becomes thick. Otherwise you’ll have burnt milk on the bottom.
- Lots of sauce – who likes a dry macaroni and cheese? At first when making this, you’ll think it is too much sauce but believe me when that the macaroni soaks it up.
- Create layers – you’ll notice only have of the cheese goes in the sauce. When preparing the macaroni and cheese, you add only half of the pasta to the baking dish then 1 1/2 cups of cheese. You then add the remaining half of the pasta before topping with the remaining cheese.
Yum!