3-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A good macaroni and cheese recipe has to be cheesy and has to melt in your mouth. This 3-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is just that.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni
- Salt to taste
Cheese sauce:
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Gouda or gruyère
- 1 1/2 cups Whole milk at room temperature
- 6 oz Cream cheese
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Salt or more to taste
- 1 tsp Ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp Ground black pepper or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp Onion powder
- 1/4 tsp Chili flakes
Instructions
Pasta:
- Into a large pot with water over medium-high heat, add the salt and macaroni. Boil until al dente, which is about 8-12 minutes.
Cheese sauce:
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
- In a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter then whisk in the flour until they are both combined. Whisk in the milk gradually and let the sauce thicken for about 5 minutes. Make sure to whisk constantly.
- Whisk in the seasonings and finally half of the cheddar cheese, gouda or gruyère and the cream cheese. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes or until all the cheeses have been melted.
Assembly:
- Add the macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix it all together.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 11.1 x 7.1 inch casserole pan. Smooth out the top and add the cheddar cheese to the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before enjoying.