Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A creamy, crowd-pleasing casserole featuring a blend of sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and melty mozzarella, baked to a golden crust. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp (optional) cayenne pepper
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Melt 4 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until golden. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, dry mustard, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper until melted and creamy.
- Step 4: Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 5: Mix the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep elbow macaroni from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many one pot recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
