Creamy 3-Cheese Baked Macaroni
As seen on Twin Cities Live Channel 5! 1/30/2020
Serves: 6
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray or unsalted butter for coating a baking dish
1 x 16 oz package dried pasta (Macaroni used on Twin Cities Live 1/30/2020)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup finely diced onion
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon Kosher salt + 2 tablespoons for salted water
¼ teaspoon white pepper
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2.5 cups)
4 oz Parmesan cheese (1 cup)
8 oz Velveeta cheese
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated for topping
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2/3 cup Panko Japanese-style breadcrumbs
Method
- Pre-heat broiler to high.
- Coat a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons Kosher salt) to boiling.
- Add pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- In another large saucepan melt the 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion, cook and stir for 2-3 minutes, until soft.
- Stir in flour, 1 tablespoon salt and pepper.
- Add milk. Cook, whisking constantly until thickened and bubbling. Cook and whisk for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Add all cheese except the ½ cup Parmesan for the Panko topping, whisking until cheeses are melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add the cheese sauce to cooked pasta; stir to coat. If you over cooked your pasta the noodles will fall apart. Eek! It’s ok, gently fold the cheese as much as possible and continue to the next steps and try again next time for al dente!
- Transfer mixture to the prepared dish.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl melt the 1 teaspoon butter. Stir in panko and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle panko mixture over pasta mixture. Broil 5 to 6 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until top is browned.
Serve immediately! Enjoy!