Three Cheese Mac & Cheese that's perfect for any occasion
Total Time: 55 mins Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins
Servings: 10
Three Cheese Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
1 Pound Elbow Pasta, or pasta of choice
1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
3 Cups Heavy Cream
1 ½ Teaspoons Kosher Salt, or to taste
2 Teaspoons Black Pepper, or to taste
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
½ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
16 Oz Freshly Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
16 Oz Freshly Shredded Colby Jack Cheese, divided
8 Oz Freshly Shredded Mozzarella, divided
Smoked Paprika, for sprinkling on top of cheese before baking
Instructions
Cook Pasta according to package instructions until Al-Dente. I recommend cooking Pasta in 4 Quarts of Chicken Broth or 4 Quarts of Water with 2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt & 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
Freshly shred Cheddar, Colby Jack, and Mozzarella. Add cheese to one bowl and mix them well.
For the roux, In a large cooking pot on medium-low heat, add in Butter and melt. Once Butter is melted and foaming, add in Flour. Frequently whisk Flour for about 1-2 minutes, Flour should become slightly brown but be sure to not burn the roux. Then, add in Heavy Cream. Add in Spice Seasonings, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika and stir in. Taste mixture to make sure it tastes as desired.
Turn up heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, then slightly reduce heat so sauce can be on a low simmer. Periodically stir sauce for about 5 minutes as sauce will thicken while it simmers.
Once sauce has thickened, remove sauce from heat and let cool for about 1-2 minutes. Add in Sour Cream and mix well. Add in half of cheeses (20oz) and stir until fully melted. Add in all pasta and fully mix in with sauce.
Preheat the oven to 375F.
To a 12x10 Half Pan or large baking dish, add in half of the macaroni mixture to the pan. Place a layer of cheese on top (Half of remaining cheese/10oz). Place the remainder of the macaroni mixture on top and add on the remainder of cheese evenly across the top. Lightly sprinkle Smoked Paprika on top of the cheese.
Place the pan in the oven uncovered and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cheese should be crispy and slightly browned.
Allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes to set, then enjoy.