Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni recipe. Creamy and cheesy, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk and cream. Cook until slightly thickened. Stir in seasonings and cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Combine and Bake: Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce, transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs if desired. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for the last 2–3 minutes.
- Mix in cooked bacon, sautéed spinach, or roasted veggies for extra flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese blends for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
