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    Home » Main Dish

    Published: Oct 7, 2019 by Kadee

    Three Cheese Mac and Cheese

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Creamy American cheese, sharp cheddar, and smooth mozzarella come together in this Three Cheese Mac and Cheese.  This ultimate comfort food dish is simple to make with fail-proof results.  Perfect for a potluck or bbq.
    Three cheese Mac and cheese in a white baking dish.

    What Makes Three Cheese Mac and Cheese Different?

    About ten years ago I went on the hunt for the PERFECT macaroni and cheese.  I didn't want to hassle with making a white sauce or buying fancy ingredients.  I wanted something tasty and simple and when I came across this recipe I knew it is seriously a winner.  The combination of the three cheese and the simplicity of this recipe make this dish fail proof.

    Three cheese Mac and cheese in a white baking dish.

    What Do I Need To Make Three Cheese Mac and Cheese?

    For this recipe you'll need:

    • penne pasta (or elbow macaroni if you're a purist)
    • milk
    • white pepper
    • salt
    • butter
    • mozarella
    • sharp cheddar cheese
    • American cheese
    • ritz crackers

    Three cheese Mac and cheese ingredients.

    Tell Me How To Make It!

    I'm going to break this recipe down into two groups.  Pre-Baking, and Post Baking.

    Pre-Baking

    1. Cook pasta according to package directions.  Except shave a minute off of the cooking time.  You want the pasta to be just shy of al dente.
    2. Drain pasta.
    3. Return pasta to large pot.
    4. Add butter.
    5. Pour in milk.
    6. Add salt and white pepper.
    7. Add cheeses and stir to combine.
    8. Pour into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

    How to make Mac and cheese.

    Post Baking

    1. While your three cheese Mac and cheese is baking, crush ritz crackers.  You can do this with a rolling pin, a glass, or in a food processor.
    2. Remove Mac and cheese from oven and gently stir.
    3. Top with crushed ritz crackers and bake for an additional 5 minutes until crackers are browned.
    4. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

    How to make Mac and cheese.

    Cheeses For Mac and Cheese

    When it comes to cheeses for macaroni and cheese dishes, opt for cheeses that are flavorful.  In this dish we are using SHARP cheddar.  Don't skip this important detail!  If you use milk or medium your dish will be bland.  That bite from the sharp cheddar when paired with pasta is delicious!

    Three cheese Mac and cheese in a white baking dish.

    Mac and Cheese Q&A

    What does al dente mean?

    I mention cooking just shy of al dente in this recipe.  Al dente describes pasta or rice that is cooked to be firm to the bite.

    what kind of baking dish do I use?

    You want to use a 2 qt baking dish.  The shape doesn't mater, but a 9x13 will work, or a round or oval 2 qt casserole dish.

    what kind of pasta should I use?

    In this recipe I used penne, but you can use the traditional elbow macaroni or even shell pasta.

    What Should I Serve With Mac and Cheese?

    This dish is perfect at a bbq alongside some baked beans and potato salad.

    Three cheese Mac and cheese in a white baking dish.

    Don't Be Shy!

    If you tried this Three Cheese Mac and Cheese or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to

    Three cheese Mac and cheese in a white baking dish.

    Three Cheese Mac and Cheese

    Creamy American cheese, sharp cheddar, and smooth mozzarella come together in this Three Cheese Mac and Cheese.  This ultimate comfort food dish is simple to make with fail-proof results.  Perfect for a potluck or bbq.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Resting time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 412kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces Penne Pasta or Macaroni if you desirev
    • 1 ½ Cups Milk
    • ¼ Cup Butter melted
    • ½ teaspoon Ground White Pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • 8 ounces American Cheese cut into ½ inch cubes
    • 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded (2 cups)
    • 2 ounces Mozzarella shredded (½ Cup)
    • 20 Ritz Crackers crushed

    Instructions

    • Preheat over to 350 degrees.
    • In a large pot cook pasta according to directions to al dente, but reducing cooking time by 1 minute. Drain and return to pot.
    • Add milk, butter, pepper, and salt. Stir in Cheeses.
    • Transfer to a greased 2 quart casserole dish.
    • Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Carefully stir mixture. Sprinkle with crushed crackers and bake 5 more minutes or until crackers are browned and mixture is heated through. (Don't overcook or mixture will curdle)
    • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
    • Watch it disappear before your eyes.

    Notes

    Mac and Cheese Q&A

    What does al dente mean?

    I mention cooking just shy of al dente in this recipe.  Al dente describes pasta or rice that is cooked to be firm to the bite.

    what kind of baking dish do I use?

    You want to use a 2 qt baking dish.  The shape doesn't mater, but a 9x13 will work, or a round or oval 2 qt casserole dish.

    what kind of pasta should I use?

    In this recipe I used penne, but you can use the traditional elbow macaroni or even shell pasta.

    What Should I Serve With Mac and Cheese?

    This dish is perfect at a bbq alongside some baked beans and potato salad.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 725mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 681IU | Calcium: 488mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Norma Eveline says

      April 17, 2023 at 6:17 am

      5 stars
      Have been making very similar recipe for years. Very easy & tasty .
      Penne works great , so does scoops do pasta . I do use some Parmesan as well.

      Reply
    2. Catie says

      May 28, 2022 at 10:05 am

      5 stars
      I made this for my husbands family, they loved it so much they requested it on our following get together as well.

      Reply
    3. Brittney Enzian says

      May 14, 2022 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      Omg I made this recipe tonight and it was the best ever!!!!!

      Reply
    4. Dot says

      February 07, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      I loved everything about it, perfect, I am putting it on my favourite recipe list.
      wow !!

      Reply
    5. Erin V says

      October 18, 2018 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      Maybe its the turquoise dish - the phrase "three cheese" - or the mention of fall but I loved everything about this post!

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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