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Three cheese Mac and cheese in a white baking dish.
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5 from 6 votes

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.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting time5 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 412kcal

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