Macaroni 3 Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, golden-baked Macaroni 3 Cheese! Featuring a rich blend of sharp cheddar, melty mozzarella, and nutty parmesan, this dish delivers a trifecta of cheesy goodness in every bite. The macaroni is coated in a luscious, velvety cheese sauce made from scratch, then topped with crispy, golden panko breadcrumbs for the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Quick to prepare in just 15 minutes and baked to perfection, this hearty casserole is ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or holiday feasts. Keywords: creamy macaroni and cheese, three-cheese macaroni, baked mac and cheese.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps remain. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese, one handful at a time, allowing each batch to melt before adding the next. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 12

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, comforting Macaroni 3 Cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2122.3 grams (2122.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5866

Total Fat 333.70g	428%
Saturated Fat 186.00g	930%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.40g
Cholesterol 948mg	316%
Sodium 7275mg	316%
Total Carbohydrate 459.00g	167%
Dietary Fiber 19.40g	69%
Total Sugars 59.00g
Protein 235.10g	470%

Vitamin D 370IU	1851%
Calcium 5022mg	386%
Iron 24mg	131%
Potassium 1583mg	34%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.0%

Protein: 16.3%

Carbs: 31.8%