Description

This ultra-creamy mac and cheese recipe uses a three-cheese sauce (sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan) and a simple roux to create a silky, smooth texture in under 30 minutes. It is kid-approved, forgiving, and tastes like high-end restaurant quality.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1 cup Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Grate the cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses into separate bowls.
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside without rinsing.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes until the roux is light golden and nutty.
Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking constantly until the mixture simmers and thickens, coating the back of a spoon.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the cheeses one at a time (cheddar, then Gruyère, then Parmesan), stirring until fully melted before adding the next.
Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir gently until every noodle is coated.
Serve immediately for the creamiest texture, or transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.

Notes

Grate your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation. Undercook the pasta slightly as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Save some pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 580
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 2
Protein: 18

Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, three cheese sauce, stovetop mac and cheese, kid-friendly recipes