What Makes Three Cheese Mac and Cheese Different?

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

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.

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.

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!

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 9×13 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?

Don’t Be Shy!

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5 from 2 votes

Print

Three Cheese Mac and Cheese

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Resting time

5 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

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.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade macaroni and cheese, three cheese macaroni, three cheese penne

Servings: 10

Calories: 412 kcal

Author: Kadee

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne Pasta or Macaroni if you desirev
• 1 1/2 Cups Milk
• 1/4 Cup Butter melted
• 1/2 tsp Ground White Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 8 oz American Cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded (2 cups)
• 2 oz Mozzarella shredded (1/2 Cup)
• 20 Ritz Crackers crushed

Instructions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.

2. In a large pot cook pasta according to directions to al dente, but reducing cooking time by 1 minute. Drain and return to pot.

3. Add milk, butter, pepper, and salt. Stir in Cheeses.
4. Transfer to a greased 2 quart casserole dish.
5. 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)

6. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

7. Watch it disappear before your eyes.

Recipe 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 Facts

Three Cheese Mac and Cheese

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 412 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 14g88%

Cholesterol 67mg22%

Sodium 725mg32%

Potassium 188mg5%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 17g34%

Vitamin A 681IU14%

Calcium 488mg49%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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