EDITOR’S NOTE (January 5, 2020): Added a new photo. See revised video on Facebook.com/CornbreadMillionaireLifestyle.
After many years of making mac ‘n cheese with just black rind hoop cheddar cheese (sharp), I felt inspired to add Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese. Three cheeses are better than one.
Packaged shredded and grated cheeses have a special coating to prevent caking. I prefer buying blocks of cheese without the special coating. I don’t mind grating. Great taste is worth the extra effort!
The black rind is sharp cheddar cheese. The red rind is mild. ‘Hoop’ cheese is a firm, dry cheese made directly from milk, with no cream or salt.
‘Hoop’ is the shaping molds used in making cheese. Made in wedges or large twenty-pound wheels. Easily grated or chopped with a knife. Available in the dairy or meat section of most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, ask an employee for assistance.
Black Wax Daisy Hoop Cheese is my favorite brand. Not a paid endorsement. Just a friendly mention of a delicious product.
Several years ago (2006 or 2007), I had a pleasant conversation with a church member while we were in our separate cars parked in the parking lot. We were waiting for traffic to subside after a powerful service.
Our windows were rolled down while we talked to each other. It was during the summer and the weather was pleasant (not too hot).
At the time, our mega church had over 18,000 members. I had never met this church member.
She provided a nugget of info that would forever change how I make macaroni and cheeses.
We talked about Sunday dinner. She asked if I ever used buttermilk to make macaroni and cheese. I said no.
The friendly sister was right when she told me that after I try buttermilk, I’ll never use whole milk again.
I’ve never seen her before or after that day. An angel? I like to think so!
After she told me to try buttermilk, suddenly the traffic lightened up. We said our goodbyes before driving away.
Baked this recipe in a favorite cast iron pan made by Lodge Manufacturing.
Enjoy!
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
|
- 1 box (8 ounces) elbow macaroni
- 1-1/2 cups black rind hoop cheese, shredded Or use medium cheddar cheese.
- 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1-1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1-3/4 cups buttermilk Use whole or fat-free.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika Or use regular paprika.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Not margarine.
- 1 egg, beaten (optional) Egg will make cheese sauce thick.
Ingredients
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|
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare elbow macaroni according to instructions on package. Cook only until al dente (firm). Drain and set aside.
- Grate blocks of 3 cheeses on a boxed grater.
- Evenly coat a 10" cast iron skillet or baking dish with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Pour in drained elbow macaroni. Top with shredded cheeses.
- Pour buttermilk into a medium-sized bowl. Add salt (to taste), black pepper (to taste), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked (or regular) paprika, 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 egg, beaten (if using). Stir until well combined. and buttermilk.
- Pour mixture in center of baking dish. It will spread out evenly as you pour. Cover with foil.
- Reduce oven to 375. Bake 12-15 minutes OR until cheese is bubbly. Remove foil. Place under broiler until cheese is lightly browned (optional).
- Serve hot.
Looks sooo good!
You’re welcome!
Saved and gonna try it!
Charlie, I hope you enjoy as much as we do. Thank you for visiting my blog!
Definitely trying this one
Thanx u 4 sharing
Will have to try this, thanks for sharing and happy holidays.
Hi Brenda!
You’re welcome! Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Happy holidays!
Hi Beverly!
I never heard of using buttermilk! I would love to try. Please share the difference you found using buttermilk versus milk?
Thanks!
Hi Bri! Buttermilk is a unique ingredient. Enhances a lot of dishes. Buttermilk makes my Homemade Cream Cheese Pound Cake very moist. Makes mac and cheese creamy and enhances flavor of cheese. Whole milk makes mac thin and bland (in my opinion). I’ve made mac with whole milk and with buttermilk. Dramatic difference. I’ll always use buttermilk. It’s THAT good! Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Happy holidays!
Just made this it’s a winner thx!
Hi Nina! Thanks for sharing your positive experience. Happy holidays!
Is that correct only 8 oz of macaroni pasta?
Hi Bridget! Correct size. Recipe easily doubled. Thanks for visiting. Please come again!
Where’s the mustard and cheese wiz? Add them for more favor. Great recipe.
Hi Tania! Those are two unique ingredients for sure. Thanks for sharing your tips. Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Happy holidays!
Looks and sounds sooo good. Makin my mouth water. I will be making this soon and cant wait to try it. Thanks so much for sharing! Happy holidays
Hi Melissa! Appreciate your compliment! Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Happy holidays!
Dear Beverly, I have been looking for a good recipe for quite some time. Thank you for sharing your recipe and tips with us. I have never made or eaten Mac n cheese before. So wish me luck . I do have a question if I would like to add some shrimps. Am I supposed to cook/ bake them before or do I add them raw in the dish before it goes in the oven?
Hi Sharize! Congrats on making your first mac and cheese. Shrimp sounds like a delish idea. Although I’ve never added shrimp, I love to experiment. If I were to make this, I’d cook shrimp first. Set aside. After removing mac and cheese from oven, I’d allow it to cool slightly before stirring in cooked shrimp. The reason I’d cook shrimp separately is because it cooks fast. Baking with mac and cheese… might cause overcooking (rubbery shrimp). Please let me know how it turns out. Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Happy holidays!
Hi Beverly….I’m from Alabama and just discovered your site….been sitting here looking at some of your Southern recipes and wishing that I could receive your blog on my email because I’m not on any social media sites….such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and I don’t plan on getting on anytime in the future. If I can receive on email, I would appreciate it. Thanks
Sylvia, Happy 2020! Many thanks for your interest. Just sent out my first official “recipe email.” I added your email address to my distribution list. Check your emails. Would love to know how you discovered my site!
Want to email recipe of Mac and cheese to try
Hi Caren!
This is the direct link to the recipe…
https://www.cornbreadmillionaire.com/Therecipe/homemade-mac-and-three-cheeses
Hello I just saw your recipe for mac&cheese using buttermilk..Never used buttermilk, but I will be trying it soon..I have used the 3 cheeses a long with feta cheese and Philadelphia cream cheese..It is delicious .Glad I stumbled on you blog.. I will let you know when I make it
Hello,I am 1st time to your blog..I enjoy trying new recipes. I will be trying this mac& cheese recipe soon.
Hello enjoyed your recipe can you please send it email idont planto engage in any of the other social medias i stick to google or you tube congrats .
Candidadawkins2@gmail.com.
Thank you! Delighted to add you to my email list. I send one email each Friday.
Thank u I’m going to try buttermilk I tired whole milk carnation milk it was good but now I’m try buttermilk to thank u . I love trying new things to
Joandria, you’re welcome! Good to try new things. I hope you enjoy mac and three cheeses as much as we do! Thank you for visiting my blog. Please come again.