The Perfect Baked Mac & Cheese for Gatherings | Creamy, Cheesy & Crowd Pleasing!

3-Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) box elbow macaroni (Badia recommended)
• 16 oz Velveeta cheese (half of a 32 oz package)
• 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 lb Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cube chicken bouillon (or 1 tsp chicken powder)
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups whole milk

Topping:

• Shredded cheese (use reserved cheese from above)
• Paprika, for sprinkling
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook the Macaroni:
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
• In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
• Slowly whisk in the whole milk, making sure there are no lumps. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the chicken bouillon (or chicken powder), garlic powder, and paprika to the milk mixture. Stir well.
• Reduce heat to low and add Velveeta, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses (reserve about ½ cup of the cheddar and Monterey Jack for topping). Stir until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
3. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
• Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to a half-size aluminum pan.
4. Add Toppings:
• Sprinkle the reserved cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Garnish with paprika and fresh parsley for color and flavor.
5. Bake:
• Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes for a creamy texture or up to 60 minutes if you prefer a firmer mac and cheese.
6. Serve:
• Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Enjoy your rich, cheesy, and flavorful baked mac and cheese!