Description
This creamy, cheesy, and ultra-indulgent Three-Cheese Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food! Featuring a rich blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan, this baked mac and cheese is crispy on top and gooey inside. Perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 1 pound elbow macaroni
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- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
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- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (2 ounces)
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- 4 cups whole milk
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- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
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- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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- Optional: 1 clove garlic, grated (highly recommended, see notes)
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- 12 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese (preferably extra sharp)
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- 6 ounces freshly grated American cheese (deli counter only, see notes)
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- 6 ounces freshly grated gruyere cheese
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- Optional: Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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- Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
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- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste forms (this is called a roux).
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- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly.
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- Stir in the dry mustard, cayenne pepper, and optional grated garlic. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
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- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, American cheese, and gruyere cheese, one handful at a time, until melted and smooth.
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- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
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- At this point, you can either serve the mac and cheese immediately or transfer it to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: per serving
- Calories: ~620 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Macaroni and cheese, cheesy pasta bake