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This recipe was part of the Food Fight: Macaroni and Cheese Challenge which ended Feb 29, 2008 04:00 PM. See winners »

VOTE 17

Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe

By TLDMAT
Total Time: 45 | Active Time: | Makes: 8 servings

Basically an adapted recipe from others I have tried. The secret is how the panko bread crumbs on the top make it crunchy and yet the three cheeses add a real richness.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 pound large elbow macaroni
  • 8 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 Panko (japenese) bread crumbs
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. In a separate pan melt 2 tablespoons butter and then mix in panko bread crumbs until the butter is thoroughly absorbed.
  5. 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.
  6. For extra crispy topping, place under broiler after baking until bread crumbs turn golden brown. Recommended.

Member recipes are not tested by the CHOW food team.

    Write a review | 19 Reviews
  • Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe
    5

    Added spiced bacon on top with the breadcrumbs! OH MY!!!! (Thick slab bacon baked in the oven with fave spices)

  • Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe
    5

    Yeah. This was the bomb. No joke. The kids went wild.

  • Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe
    5

    This recipe is AWESOME!! I took a chance and changed my usual mac and cheese recipe and tried this one for thanksgiving this year. MY FAMILY LOVED IT!! So creamy and flavorful, the flavor was awesome. I did not use the bread crumb topping because we don't like the crunch, but wanted the flavor which it has plenty of. AWESOME!

  • Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe
    5

    This recipe was bangin! Awesome, not too heavy, perfect. Tweeked it a bit by adding 1 C of sour creme and topped it with hungarian paprika to give it color...broiled for one minute to brown the bread crumbs...This is the perfect comfort food, This rocks!

  • Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe
    5

    This recipe is OUTSTANDING! I am not a mac n cheese fan, but I am a die-hard fan of THIS recipe. It is delicious, and the crunchy topping makes it that much better. This recipe will please the entire family, and the best part is - It was EASY to make. Try it, you'll love it!

  • Three Cheese Mac and Cheese with Panko Bread Crumb Topping Recipe
    5

    What an awesome mac and cheese recipe. I never get tired of reading new recipes for macaroni and cheese. I have a personal blog on mac and cheese I love it so much. http://www.macandcheese.co

  • I've made this multiple times and love it. Two additions to the sauce: one tablespoon of powdered mustard and a teaspoon of nutmeg.

  • Just made this recipe today and doubled it for an A's tailgate party. Prepared ahead, baked tonight (ooooh, tasty) and will reheat tomorrow in chafing dishes at the party. No doubt it is delicious, like fondue without the wine. I'm thinking the pre-cooking will enhance the flavor, and it is so rich that it will serve more than recommended. May serve with a side of Tums or Mylanta, but worth every bite. Will update after the guests comments.

  • WOW!!!!!

    DT

  • I will belive in the cheese

  • I can't wait to try it tonight with italian Asiago aged not domestic which is so sour. I made this with fresh asiago butter, flour and milk and topped it with grana padano and panko bread crumbs. I am flight attendant so I do all my grocery shopping in Europe. Ymmmm..

  • wow! i made this today in an iron skillet and can i tell you what a huge hit it was? i had one friend tell me that she never liked mac n' cheese before, but after using this recipe, i think she's a convert. i think it helped that i served it straight from the skillet which it has a nice flare to it.
    thanks so much!!

  • Just made this last night. I am not a big fan of Mac & cheese. but this is really good the Panko adds a unique flavor to this Overall The best I had ever tried.

  • I made this last night. The recipe is as good as all the comments say it is. I am used to the traditional recipe made with dry mustard, and was eager to see how this one turned out. The cheeses are salty, especially the Romano, so added a little less than the tablespoon that is called for. My mom taught me to add a pinch of nutmeg to any dish with cheese, and I think next time I would probably do that with this. I made it in two 8x8 pans, freezing one for later use. Very rich, you probably don't need much else when you serve this aside from a nice green salad or vegi. Enjoy.

  • Wow, it's almost an exact copy of the recipe I entered

  • I haven't tried this yet, but the panko crumbs are a nice touch. Alton Brown uses panko in his recipe for macaroni and cheese, too. I have to loyal to Alton and besides, his recipe is so awesome! Try it yourself: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recip...

  • sounds like a wonderful recipe, I like cheeses

  • I agree. I've actually read every recipe and am very surprised that this one didn't garner more votes. I think this gem got lost amidst the idiotic voting that's been going on.

    I'm glad that the CHOW editors decided to change the parameters for this contest after the two "children" used scripts to vote for themselves over and over again. I hope they decide to test out this recipe because it really does seem like it would be absolutely delicious!

    TLDMAT, I wish I knew how to write a script so I could vote for you multiple times.

  • This really does seem like the best one I've read so far.

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