New York Skyline Three-Cheese Baked Mac
Iconic three-cheese baked mac with a dramatic crunchy crown.
Daily recipe · June 04, 2026
A little about this dish
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
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Step 1 — 🔥💧🍲Preheat the oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
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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.
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Step 3 — 🍝⏲️💦Cook the cavatappi 2 minutes less than the package says so it stays firm. Drain and set aside.
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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.
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Step 5 — 🥛🍶🌀Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Cook, whisking often, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 4 to 5 minutes.
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Step 6 — 🧂🌶️🥄Whisk in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, and a small pinch of salt.
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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.
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Step 8 — 🍝🫕👌Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed. Stir in the drained pasta until every piece is well coated.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Step 12 — 🌿⚫😄Top with chopped parsley and the remaining black pepper, then serve warm.
A final fox tip
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.