A bowl of the 3 Cheese Mac & Cheese topped with Rosemary Bread Crumbs

Stovetop Three Cheese Mac & Cheese

Good Afternoon and Evening my fellow foodies, and culinary adventurers! While many homemade mac and cheese recipes frequently require the oven, let’s exlpore our quick & easy stove top variation. In addition to this recipe, we can create a delicious herbed breadcrumb topper for extra flavor and crunch! Additionally, utilizing our bechamel recipe, you and the kids can experiment with your cheesey variations. The Gus kits switched from requesting restaurant mac or the infamous blue box and now eagerly gobble up the Gourmet Gus 3 Cheese Macaroni! Finally, we hope, you and your kids will hopefully be singing its praises as well.

An image of the ingredients required to make delicious 3 cheese mac and cheese

The little chef sprinkling in cheese to create a mornay sauce to be add to macaroni for 3 cheese mac and cheese

Macaroni & Cheese Everywhere

Macaroni and cheese, a.k.a everyone favorite comfort food, can undergo variations that, inturn, can fit any cuisine or culture. Firstly In United States, it’s often topped with crispy bread crumbs especially with a Southern-style. Secondly, where would macaroni and cheese be without Italy where it’s “maccheroni al forno” feature layers of pasta, cheese, and béchamel sauce. Thirdly, leave it to France to elevate it with “Gratin de Macaronis” a luxurious Gruyère based mac cheese topped with a gratin crust. Lastly, a variation with Indian spices create a new twist with “Masala Mac and Cheese,” which could include infused with aromatic spices such as cumin and turmeric.

Why three in Mac and Cheese

When making mac & cheese, do you boil the water first?

Yes, it is essential to boil the water first before adding the pasta. Boiling water ensures even cooking and tenderness throughout the pasta.

Should you rinse pasta for mac and cheese?

No, it is generally not recommended to rinse the cooked pasta for mac and cheese. Rinsing removes starch that helps the sauce adhere to the pasta, resulting in a less creamy texture. Additionally, a good rule when making most pasta dishes is to not rinse hot dishes and rinse cold pasta dishes.

Firstly, Rinsing hot pasta dishes removes the starch for the sauces to adhere too. Secondly, rinsing cold dishes, like pasta salad, stops the cooking process and prevents pasta from being soft and sticky.

What is the best cheese for Macaroni and Cheese? Is using three cheeses better than one?

The best cheese for mac and cheese depends on personal preference. Cheddar, Gruyère, Fontina, and American cheese are commonly used. Using a combination of cheeses adds complexity, but using a single cheese can still result in delicious mac and cheese. For our Gourmet Gus Stove top 3 cheese mac and cheese we selected 3 Cheese each for a different reason:
Sharp Cheddar – Flavor. It has a rich, sharp taste that enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.
Gruyère – Meltability. Gruyère melts well and results in a delicious creamy texture when heated. Additionally, it add a tasty gooeyness!
Fontina – Creaminess. Fontina brings a creamy smooth texture and matches well with the other cheeses

Kids will love cooking as much as eating

Cooking this yummy Gourmet Gus 3 cheese mac and cheese with your kids goes beyond just a tasty meal! In addition, it’s a chance for them to learn lifelong cooking skills, while having fun the kitchen. Plus, they’ll practice reading skills, following directions, and even practicing math by measuring ingredients. So gather your little chefs and let’s make a cheesy mac-sterpiece together! Overall, this dish is super kid friendly with a kid effort score of 2 out of 5.

Attention Parents Cooking with Kids

Parents should use their own discretion in which steps their kids perform and should always prioritize kitchen safety!

Grate the cheese: (Kid Effort Score 3 out of 5) Kids can grate the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Fontina cheeses. This task requires supervision and coordination but can be fun and engaging.

Whisk the sauce: (Kid Effort Score 2 out of 5) Kids can help whisk the butter, flour, and milk mixture to create the sauce. It’s a simple task that allows them to actively participate in the cooking process.

Add spices to the sauce: (Kid Effort Score 1 out of 5) Kids can easily measure and add the salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg to the sauce. It’s a great opportunity for them to practice their measuring skills.

Stir the sauce: (Kid Effort Score 2 out of 5) Kids can take turns stirring the sauce as the cheeses melt. It requires attention and coordination, but it’s an enjoyable task that helps ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.

Combine the sauce with pasta: (Kid Effort Score 2 out of 5) Kids can assist in pouring the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and stirring everything together. It may require some guidance to ensure even distribution of the sauce.