Grandma's Three Cheese Casserole

Transport your taste buds back to comforting family dinners with Grandma's Three Cheese Casserole, a creamy, baked delight perfect for weeknights or special occasions. This irresistible recipe combines perfectly al dente elbow macaroni with a velvety, homemade three-cheese sauce featuring sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan for a flavor-packed punch. Topped with golden, crunchy panko breadcrumbs and a hint of paprika for added depth, this casserole bakes to perfection with a gooey center and crispy topping. Ready in under an hour, this dish is easy to prepare and serves as a hearty main course or a crowd-pleasing side dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and watch it disappear at your next gathering!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and begins to bubble, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the salt, black pepper, and paprika. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and gently mix until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 9

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1560.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3888.7

Total Fat 197.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 104.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 519.8mg	0%
Sodium 5452.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 363.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.3g	0%
Total Sugars 53.1g
Protein 164.8g	0%

Vitamin D 358.1IU	0%
Calcium 3385.4mg	0%
Iron 18.2mg	0%
Potassium 1460.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.7%

Protein: 16.9%

Carbs: 37.3%