Ultimate Smoked Three-Cheese Mac and Cheese (Gouda, Gruyère + Cheddar)
Rich, baked, creamy, smoky — the best macaroni and cheese recipe you’ll ever try.
If you’re looking for the best homemade mac and cheese recipe, one that’s rich, indulgent, and layered with smoky flavor, you’re in the right place. This smoked three-cheese mac and cheese combines Gouda, Gruyère, and sharp Cheddar for a velvety sauce that clings to every noodle. It bakes into a golden, bubbling dish with just the right amount of crispy top — the kind of mac that earns silence at the dinner table.
This is comfort food done intentionally. A luxurious, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, potlucks, or when the craving hits hard.
Follow along here on TikTok.
This is the TDL Lifestyle version of cozy elegance.
📌 Why This Recipe Works
Uses three cheeses for depth + creaminess
Smoked Gouda and smoked Gruyère add bold flavor
Baked for a crispy, golden top with a creamy center
Easy step-by-step method — beginner friendly
Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or everyday comfort
🧀 Ingredients for the Best Mac and Cheese
You’ll Need:
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 lb macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart whole milk
8 Tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
½ cup all-purpose flour
6 oz smoked Gouda cheese (shredded)
12 oz smoked Gruyère (shredded)
8 oz extra-sharp Cheddar (shredded)
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp nutmeg
🔥 How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese (Step-by-Step)
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 375°F and butter a 3-quart baking dish. A rich dinner deserves a warm welcome.
2. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 6–8 minutes until al dente. Drain.
3. Make Your Roux (the secret to creamy sauce)
Warm milk in a saucepan — no boiling.
In a 4-quart pot, melt 6 Tbsp butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 2 minutes.
Slowly add warm milk while whisking until thick and smooth.
4. Create the Cheese Sauce
Turn off heat and stir in:
smoked Gouda
smoked Gruyère
extra-sharp Cheddar
salt, pepper, nutmeg
Reserve a small handful of each cheese for topping.
5. Combine + Bake
Add pasta to sauce, stir well, and pour into baking dish.
Top with remaining cheese and bake 30–35 min until golden and bubbly.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving — the hardest part of the recipe.
✨ What to Serve With Mac and Cheese
BBQ chicken or ribs
Holiday turkey or ham
Collard greens or roasted broccoli
Crispy fried chicken
A simple green salad
This recipe shines alone, but it plays well with others.
Recipe Notes + Variations
Add breadcrumbs for extra crunch
Mix in lobster or crab for luxury mac and cheese
Stir in jalapeños or smoked paprika for heat
Swap pasta shapes — shells, gemelli, rigatoni work well
Save, Share, Cook Again ❤️
This baked smoked mac and cheese is more than a side dish — it’s a moment. The kind of meal that feels slow, intentional, grounding. At TDL Lifestyle, food is nourishment for both body and spirit — and this recipe delivers both.
Pin it. Print it. Bookmark it. You’ll come back to this one.
XOXO
Tiff
