3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Costa Vanikiotis at Eveready Diner, Hyde Park, NY

Show: Diners, Drive-ins and DivesEpisode: Local Legends

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (18)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(18)

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 25 min
Total:: 35 min

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1 pound large elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound white Cheddar, shredded
4 ounces Romano, shredded
4 ounces Asiago, shredded
2 cups bread crumbs (suggested: panko (Japanese) available at most markets)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In large pot filled with water add 3 pinches of salt and the macaroni and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and let cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt butter. Sprinkle flour over butter and cook 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat, whisking until a roux or paste forms. Add cold milk and whisk vigorously until dissolved. Cook sauce on medium-low heat until thick and bubbly. Add heavy cream, all cheeses, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper. Cook until cheeses are fully melted, stirring occasionally.

Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture and mix thoroughly. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 by 9 baking dish and top with bread crumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Top with fresh parsley and serve.

For variations, add cooked lobster meat, truffle oil, bacon and/or garden fresh vegetables.

This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
sally Vero Beach, FL 07-03-2009
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A "go to" recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This mac & cheese is amazing! I have made it several times and have great results every time. I have never used pre-shredded... cheese and have never had the "gritty issue that some reviews mentioned. It is super creamy and is always a huge hit wherever I go...NEVER any leftovers, which is saying a lot because this makes quite a bit of mac & cheese (granted, there are never less than twenty people at our family gatherings). I do not use the additional salt, as I feel cheese is salty enough. I also cut the amount of breadcrumbs in half and have much better results. It is expensive, so be ready to spend about $30-$40 on this one dish, but it is very good and worth every penny. I will be trying it with an assortment of other cheeses to vary the flavor, but I know the technique works, so I know I will get creamy macaroni every time. You should definitely add this to your repertoire - you'll be glad you did! Read more
recipe 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Melinda Morrisville, NC 04-19-2009
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Yum
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The was excellent...everyone loved it. Just be forewarned.....it is expensive, I spent a lot of money on the cheeses.
recipe 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Amanda Stafford, VA 12-10-2008
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Great!!!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Only two things to say... Asiago cheese is very expensive, so I got the parmesan and asiago cheese mix....it was perfect...... also the a tablespoon of pepper is just way too peppery for this too much bread crumbs...i will not be using them again, it is better without ...other than that i it was creamy and delicious!! verrrry easy it was my first time making homemade mac!!!Read more
recipe 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Phyllis Tucson, AZ 12-02-2008
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YummmmmmmmmY!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We've made this several times and it's always fantastic! Today we added leftover ham, looks good, smells great! Can't wait... for it to be done!!Read more
recipe 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Ron Elgin, MN 11-22-2008
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Great Taste
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I used freshly grated cheese and it was great, also added cooked bacon which added a good flavor.
recipe 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Kathy Hayward, CA 12-31-2007
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Satisfying!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I used fresh cheeses, and I always like to follow a recipe as stated the first time and then change later. I did top this... with bread crumbs, but do not need two cups. I also sprinkled cooked crispy bacon on top before serving. I never use bag cheese when melting. This was not gritty at all and my family loved it!Read more