Indulge in a culinary journey with our exquisite 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This dish is a harmonious blend of three delectable cheeses – sharp cheddar, creamy Gruyère, and nutty Parmesan – enveloped in a velvety béchamel sauce. Perfectly cooked macaroni pasta provides a delightful textural contrast, while a golden-brown crust adds a satisfying crunch. Discover the secrets behind this comforting classic with our collection of recipes, each offering a unique twist on this timeless dish. Whether you prefer a traditional stovetop method, a quick and easy microwave version, or a decadent baked macaroni and cheese, we have the perfect recipe for you. Embark on a cheesy adventure and treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food experience!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
THREE-CHEESE MACARONI
This homemade version of the noodle favorite will make you forget about the boxed orange variety. A sauce made with three kinds of cheeses and a crunchy breadcrumb topping really separate this mac and cheese from its store-bought counterparts.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter 10 mini (1 cup) pie plates or a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Warm milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Cook until butter is bubbling. Add flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Gradually pour warm milk into butter mixture, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture bubbles and thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in 3 cups cheddar, 1 cup Gruyere, 1 cup fontina, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, the nutmeg, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, and transfer pasta to cheese sauce. Stir to coat. Divide mixture among mini pie plates or transfer to baking dish. Scatter remaining cup cheddar, 1/2 cup Gruyere, and 1/2 cup fontina over top, and sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs. Bake until cheese is melted and pasta is warmed through, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
THREE CHEESE MAC AND CHEESE
Loaded with sharp cheddar, Gruyère and Parmesan cheese, this mac and cheese is rich and creamy and loved by both children and adults.
Provided by Ryan Beck
Categories Pasta
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 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 9x13 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.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 457 kcal, Carbohydrate 35 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Sodium 463 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 5 g, UnsaturatedFat 6 g
BAKED THREE-CHEESE MACARONI
This legendary three-cheese mac and cheese is a must-have for big family events. My ultimate comfort food is a divine blend of cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. -Joan Sullivan, Gambrills, MD
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner Side Dishes
Time 50m
Yield 12 servings (3/4 cup each).
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni in a 6-qt. stockpot according to package directions for al dente. Drain; return to pot., In a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; whisk in warmed milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until thickened., Remove from heat; stir in Gruyere and cheddar cheeses, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add to macaroni, tossing to coat., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Toss bread crumbs with Parmesan cheese and melted butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes or until bubbly and top is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 calories, Fat 24g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 515mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 27g protein.
3-CHEESE SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Time 4h10m
Yield 15 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 1. Spray slow cooker lightly with cooking spray.
- 2. In large bowl, combine cheeses and set aside.
- 3. In another large bowl, whisk eggs lightly. Add evaporated milk, milk, dry mustard, cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- 4. Add 3 cups of cheese mixture and uncooked macaroni noodles to egg mixture. Stir to combine.
- 5. Pour into slow cooker. Top with remaining cheese.
- 6. Sprinkle with paprika.
- 7. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE
A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.
Provided by g0dluvsugly
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g
ITALIAN THREE-CHEESE MACARONI
My husband is a self-proclaimed mac-and-cheese connoisseur and says that this is his favorite version. The Italian seasoning and tomatoes really complement the pasta and cheeses. -Adriane Mummert, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 12 servings (1 cup each).
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Drain macaroni., Spread 1 cup cheese sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Layer with half of macaroni, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top., Cover and bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 763mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.
MACARONI AND THREE CHEESES
This luxurious macaroni and cheese keeps unbaked in the refrigerator for up to a day; in the oven, it turns piping hot and creamy inside, and golden brown on top in less than an hour. Substitute your favorite melting cheeses (mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and fontina are great options), or vary the proportions of the ones listed here.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish (oval or 9-by-13-inch rectangle); set aside.
- Generously salt boiling water; add pasta. Cook, according to package instructions, until 2 minutes short of al dente. Drain pasta, and return to pot.
- While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Transfer 2 tablespoons melted butter to a small bowl; set aside for topping. Add flour and mustard powder to remaining butter in saucepan. Cook, whisking, 1 minute (do not let flour darken). Whisk in milk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove sauce from heat. Gradually whisk in cheeses; add Worcestershire sauce, and season generously with salt and pepper. Add sauce to pasta, and toss to combine; transfer to prepared baking dish.
- Place bread in food processor; pulse until very coarse crumbs form (you should have about 3 cups). Add reserved melted butter, and pulse just to moisten. Scatter crumbs over pasta in baking dish. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.)
- Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. (If refrigerated, bake for 30 to 35 minutes.) Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 584 g, Fat 28 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 24 g
Tips:
- Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose, which can make your macaroni and cheese grainy. Freshly grated cheese will melt more smoothly and give you a creamier sauce.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Macaroni and cheese is best when the pasta is cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and absorb too much of the sauce.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces. Adding a roux to your macaroni and cheese will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Use a variety of cheeses: Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheeses in your macaroni and cheese. A good combination is a blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Add some extras: Feel free to add other ingredients to your macaroni and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, or roasted vegetables. These additions will add flavor and texture to the dish.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its rich, creamy sauce and gooey cheese, it's sure to be a hit at your next potluck or family gathering. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this 3-cheese macaroni and cheese recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#weeknight #60-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #north-american #main-dish #eggs-dairy #pasta #american #oven #easy #kid-friendly #cheese #stove-top #dietary #one-dish-meal #comfort-food #toddler-friendly #pasta-rice-and-grains #elbow-macaroni #taste-mood #savory #equipment #baking
You'll also love