Description
Comfort meets culinary delight in this irresistible three-cheese baked macaroni, a creamy masterpiece that elevates classic pasta to gourmet heights. Melted cheddar, parmesan, and gruyère create a rich, indulgent experience you’ll savor with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 450 g (1 lb) elbow macaroni
Cheeses:
- 200 g (7 oz) cheddar cheese
- 150 g (5.3 oz) mozzarella cheese
- 100 g (3.5 oz) parmesan cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 15 g (1 tbsp) butter
- 5 g (1 tsp) salt
- 2 g (1/2 tsp) black pepper
- 3 g (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 15 g (1/4 cup) breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined and smooth.
- Grate the cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, keeping them separately to ensure even distribution throughout the dish.
- Transfer the cooked macaroni to the prepared baking dish, then pour the egg and milk mixture over the pasta, gently tossing to ensure complete coating.
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly across the macaroni, carefully folding to distribute the cheese throughout the pasta.
- Top the mixture with the grated parmesan cheese, creating a uniform layer that will develop a golden, crispy crust during baking.
- Scatter breadcrumbs over the cheese layer, which will provide a delightful crunchy texture to the creamy pasta.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let the macaroni rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese to set and the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- Customize cheese combinations by swapping in different varieties like gruyère, gouda, or fontina for unique flavor profiles.
- Enhance protein content by mixing in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced ham before baking for a heartier meal.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free elbow macaroni and replacing breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
- Reduce calories by substituting whole milk with low-fat milk or using a blend of milk and Greek yogurt for a lighter texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg