Recipe Talk

---
- "One of our users asked us this question, \"I used to have a delicious recipe for mac and cheese that used 3 different cheese. I have lost it. Can you help?\" "

3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Costa Vanikiotis at Eveready Diner, Hyde Park, NY
.
Prep Time:10 minInactive Prep Time: -- Cook Time:25 minLevel:IntermediateServes:4 to 6 servings.

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.

* Restaurant Recipe

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

THREE CHEESE BAKED MACARONI

3 c. elbow macaroni (cooked and drained)
1 can Cheddar cheese soup
1 c. milk
1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. shredded Swiss
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
1 can French fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In 1 1/2 quart casserole, mix hot macaroni, soup, milk, seasonings and 1/4 cup of each Swiss, Cheddar and Parmesan. Add 1/2 can fried onions. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until heated through.

Top with remaining cheese and onions. Bake uncovered 5-8 minutes until cheeses are golden brown. Makes 4-6 hearty servings.

THREE CHEESE MACARONI CHEESE

1/2 lb. elbow macaroni
4 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tbsp. grated onion
2 eggs
2 c. milk
1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 c. Velveeta cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 (4 oz.) can button mushrooms, drained
1/2 c. finely chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
Pimiento strips for garnish

Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes; drain and rinse.
Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour, salt and pepper and onion. Mix eggs with milk and blend thoroughly. Stir into butter mixture and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Add cheese, stir until blended. Fold in cooked macaroni, mushrooms, celery and green peppers. Pour macaroni in buttered 2 quart casserole and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with strips of pimiento if desired.

Suzie, thank you very much for your consistant support :)