Description

A velvety, golden baked mac and cheese featuring a rich three-cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan. This comfort food classic uses a proper roux for a smooth texture and is topped with crispy toasted breadcrumbs.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1 cup Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grate all cheeses and mix breadcrumbs with thyme and garlic powder; set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (8-10 minutes).
Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and rinse briefly with cool water.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes until light golden.
Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and simmers (3-4 minutes).
Remove skillet from heat. Gradually add grated cheeses, stirring until smooth and glossy. Do not boil.
Combine cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, ensuring all noodles are coated.
Pour mixture into a greased 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish.
Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Grate your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent a grainy sauce. Pasta continues to cook in the oven, so cook it al dente. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce separating upon thawing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 650
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 11
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 3
Protein: 22

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, three cheese mac, comfort food, creamy mac and cheese, dinner recipe, family dinner