Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe

Introduction

Indulge in the rich and creamy comfort of our Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese. This classic dish brings together a blend of five cheeses for an irresistibly cheesy experience, baked to golden perfection with a crunchy breadcrumb topping.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
2. Step 2: Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
3. Step 3: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in the ¼ cup of flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture turns lightly golden.
4. Step 4: Slowly whisk in the 3 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Stir in the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then add all the shredded and grated cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat all the pasta evenly.
7. Step 7: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle this evenly over the top.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use whole milk and heavy cream for the creamiest sauce, but you can substitute half-and-half to reduce richness slightly.
• Try swapping gouda for fontina or gruyere for a different flavor profile.
• For extra crunch, add crushed toasted nuts to the breadcrumb topping.
• To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour with a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or cornstarch.

Storage

Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, about 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave portions on medium power, stirring halfway through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the mac and cheese up to the baking step, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

What type of cheese works best for mac and cheese?

A combination of sharp and mild cheeses that melt well is ideal. Cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan provide great flavor and texture, but feel free to experiment with your favorites.

Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 143 reviews

• Author: Sarah
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

A rich and creamy Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese that combines sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan cheeses for an indulgently cheesy pasta dish topped with a golden breadcrumb crust. Perfect as a comforting main course or side dish, baked to bubbly perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni

Cheese Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Topping

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the mac and cheese later.
2. Cook the Macaroni: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, which is firm to the bite but cooked through. Drain the pasta and set aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook until the mixture turns lightly golden, forming a roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and grated parmesan cheeses until melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy cheese mixture.
5. Prepare for Baking: Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture into a greased baking dish. If using, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top to add a crispy crust.
6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly for the best texture.

Notes

• Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting quality and flavor.
• For a crispier topping, broil the baked mac and cheese for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
• Feel free to substitute or add your favorite cheeses such as fontina or Monterey Jack.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to preserve the crispy topping.
• To make this dish gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, five cheese mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food