🧀 Triple Cheese Mac & Magic
Creamy, cozy, and cheesier than your favorite rom-com line!
💌 Introduction
When it comes to comfort food, nothing wraps around your heart like a warm bowl of mac and cheese. But not just any mac and cheese—this one is loaded with three cheeses, rich in flavor, and seasoned to absolute perfection. Whether you’re serving it as the star of the show or a dreamy side dish, this version is the kind that makes people ask, “Can I have seconds… and thirds?”
🌟 Fun Fact:
Did you know Thomas Jefferson may have introduced mac and cheese to the U.S.? After falling in love with the dish in Europe, he brought a pasta machine back home and served it at presidential dinners in the early 1800s! So yes, mac and cheese is basically founding father approved 🇺🇸🧀
📖 True Story:
One winter evening, I made this mac and cheese recipe for a friend who was going through a rough time. I wasn’t sure what to say—but when I placed that warm, golden bowl in front of her, she smiled for the first time in days. She said it felt like a “hug in a bowl.” And just like that, this dish became my go-to for bringing warmth to any table 💛 Try also our https://sweetblogging.com/🍝-spaghetti-with-meatballs/ recipe!
🛒 Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk, warmed in the microwave for 1 minute
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard (add ½ tsp more for extra kick)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly shredded pepper jack cheese
🍳 Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente (about 7–8 minutes). Drain and set aside. - Warm the Milk:
Pour the milk into a microwave-safe measuring cup and warm it for 1 minute. This helps the cheese sauce stay smooth and creamy! - Make the Roux:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a golden roux. - Create the Sauce:
Slowly pour in the warmed milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens slightly (about 3–5 minutes). - Add Seasonings:
Stir in the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, and black pepper. - Cheese, Please:
Lower the heat and gradually add in the cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack cheese, stirring until the sauce is velvety and fully melted. - Combine & Serve:
Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and mix until every noodle is coated in cheesy bliss. Serve immediately for max creaminess!
🔥 Calories (approx.):
About 480–520 calories per serving (based on 6 servings), depending on cheese and milk choice.
💡 Important Tips:
- Warm the milk! Cold milk can cause your sauce to turn grainy—warming it helps everything stay super smooth.
- Use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty.
- For a spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or extra pepper jack.
- Want a baked version? Pour into a buttered dish, top with breadcrumbs, and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden!
