Dinner

Goldfish-Topped Three Cheese Macaroni Recipe

ByEthan Lark December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

Introduction

This Goldfish-Topped Three Cheese Macaroni is a fun and flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese. Rich cheeses blend into a creamy sauce, while crunchy Goldfish crackers add a playful crunch on top. It’s a comforting dish that’s perfect for both kids and adults.

A large white round bowl with blue, green, and pink color patches holds a creamy yellow macaroni dish topped with crunchy, deep pink bits scattered all over. The bowl sits on a soft pink cloth on a white marbled surface. Two woman's hands hold the bowl gently from opposite sides, with the fingers softly curved around the edges. The macaroni pieces are small, curved tubes coated in a smooth cheese sauce, while the pink topping adds a textured, crispy contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups Chicken Stock
2 cups Water
4 1/2 teaspoons Salt
4 cups Elbow Macaroni
3 cups Whole Milk
1/4 cup Corn Starch
2 cups Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Gruyère Cheese
1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese
1 1/2 cups Goldfish Crackers
Olive Oil, as needed

Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot, bring the chicken stock, water, and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Warm 3 cups of whole milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove half a cup of the milk and whisk it together with the cornstarch until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the milk and cornstarch mixture back into the warm milk in the saucepan. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring every 30 seconds until the mixture thickens slightly. Avoid over-thickening.
Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, and pepper jack cheeses until fully melted and smooth.
Step 5: Combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce in a large bowl, stirring until well coated.
Step 6: Crush half of the Goldfish crackers and gently fold them into the macaroni. Reserve the other half of the crackers whole to sprinkle on top.
Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining whole Goldfish crackers over the top and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

For extra creaminess, use half-and-half instead of whole milk.
Try swapping the Pepper Jack cheese for Monterey Jack if you prefer a milder flavor.
Toast the crushed Goldfish crackers briefly in a dry pan for an added nutty crunch before mixing them in.
To make it vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for chicken stock.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming. Add a splash of milk when reheating if the sauce feels too thick.

How to Serve

A large round bowl with turquoise, pink, and blue color patches holds creamy macaroni with a rich yellow cheese sauce as the bottom layer, topped generously with crumbled purple pink pieces spread all over. The bowl is placed on a soft pink cloth on a white marbled surface. Two woman's hands hold the bowl from each side gently. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, while elbow macaroni is traditional, you can use other pasta shapes like shells, cavatappi, or penne. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to reach al dente texture.