From above, a round skillet of deeply golden baked mac and cheese with bronzed bubbly patches, a crisp breadcrumb ring, and silhouette-like toasted cheese shards standing upright like a miniature Manhattan skyline, finished with tiny parsley flecks and black pepper.

New York Skyline Three-Cheese Baked Mac

Name: New York Skyline Three-Cheese Baked Mac
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: sharp cheddar cheese, 10 oz shredded; Gruyère cheese, 8 oz shredded; Parmesan cheese, 3 oz finely grated, divided; cavatappi pasta, 1 lb; whole milk, 3 cups; heavy cream, 1 cup; unsalted butter, 5 tbsp divided; all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup; panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup; Dijon mustard, 2 tsp; Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp; smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp; garlic powder, 1/2 tsp; fresh parsley, 2 tbsp finely chopped; black pepper, 1 tsp freshly ground; kosher salt, to taste; neutral oil or olive oil, 1 tsp

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style American

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: June 04, 2026

Happy Cheese Day calls for something dramatic, celebratory, and deeply cheesy: a towering baked mac and cheese inspired by the iconic New York City skyline. Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, Gruyère adds nutty meltability, and a touch of Parmesan creates savory depth. Cream, mustard, and a little smoked paprika keep the sauce lush and balanced, while a crunchy golden topping makes the whole dish irresistibly photogenic.

Ingredients (for 6)

Sharp cheddar cheese - 10 oz - shredded
Gruyère cheese - 8 oz - shredded
Parmesan cheese - 3 oz - finely grated, divided
Cavatappi pasta - 1 lb
Whole milk - 3 cups
Heavy cream - 1 cup
Unsalted butter - 5 tbsp - divided
All-purpose flour - 1/4 cup
Panko breadcrumbs - 1 cup
Dijon mustard - 2 tsp
Worcestershire sauce - 1 tsp
Smoked paprika - 1/2 tsp
Garlic powder - 1/2 tsp
Fresh parsley - 2 tbsp - finely chopped
Black pepper - 1 tsp - freshly ground
Kosher salt - to taste
Neutral oil or olive oil - 1 tsp

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥💧🍲

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
Step 2 - 🧀🏙️✨

Line a small pan or plate with parchment. Use a little of the cheddar and Parmesan to make small mounds and rectangle shapes like buildings. Bake or toast until melted and deep golden, 5 to 7 minutes, then cool until crisp.
Step 3 - 🍝⏲️💦

Cook the cavatappi 2 minutes less than the package says so it stays firm. Drain and set aside.
Step 4 - 🧈🥄🌾

In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth and lightly golden.
Step 5 - 🥛🍶🌀

Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Cook, whisking often, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 6 - 🧂🌶️🥄

Whisk in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, and a small pinch of salt.
Step 7 - 🧀🔥😋

Lower the heat. Add the shredded cheddar, Gruyère, and half of the remaining Parmesan a handful at a time, stirring until smooth and melted.
Step 8 - 🍝🫕👌

Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed. Stir in the drained pasta until every piece is well coated.
Step 9 - 🥣🍞🧈

In a small bowl, mix the panko with the remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter, the rest of the Parmesan, and the oil. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
Step 10 - 🔥🥘⏳

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until bubbling and golden on top. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes if you want extra color, watching closely.
Step 11 - 🏙️🧀🍽️

Let the mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes. Stand the cooled cheese crisps upright over the center and back edge to look like a skyline.
Step 12 - 🌿⚫😄

Top with chopped parsley and the remaining black pepper, then serve warm.

Additional

For an extra NYC touch, serve it in a cast-iron skillet on a wooden board with a simple tomato salad on the side for color contrast. You can swap in fontina or mozzarella for a stretchier pull, or add caramelized onions for a nod to classic diner flavors. Kids can help shred cheese, stir the breadcrumb topping, and arrange the cooled cheese 'buildings' into their own skyline.