Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe
Introduction
This Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese is a rich, creamy comfort food classic with a cheesy twist. Blending sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan creates a luscious sauce 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
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Step 5: Stir in salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then add all the shredded cheeses and parmesan, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Step 6: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Step 7: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Step 8: In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
- Step 10: Let the baked mac and cheese rest for a few minutes before serving for best texture.
Tips & Variations
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of cream cheese to the sauce while melting the cheese.
- Mix in cooked bacon or sautéed vegetables for added flavor and texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour if you need a gluten-free version.
- Reserve a small amount of cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top before baking for a sharper crust.
Storage
Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes, feel free to substitute or add your favorite cheeses. Just keep the total amount similar to maintain the right balance of creaminess and flavor.
Do I have to bake the mac and cheese?
Baking adds a wonderful crispy top and thickens the dish, but you can skip baking and serve it creamy straight from the stovetop if preferred.
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Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese recipe combines a rich blend of sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan cheeses to create a creamy, indulgent comfort dish. Tender elbow macaroni is coated in a luscious homemade cheese sauce, topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs, and baked to golden perfection for a bubbly, crispy finish. Perfect for family dinners and special occasions, this classic baked mac and cheese features a heavenly balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the other components.
- Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni. Cook until al dente, typically about 7-8 minutes, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the mixture until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and grated parmesan cheeses until everything melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring thoroughly to coat each piece of pasta evenly with the rich cheese mixture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly with butter or nonstick spray. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese for a crispy golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. Bake until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden and crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use whole milk and heavy cream as specified; whole dairy provides the best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute the gouda with fontina or Monterey Jack if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta during boiling; al dente pasta holds up better during baking.
- Stir the cheese sauce continuously while thickening to avoid lumps or scorching.
- Use fresh grated parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for a richer flavor and smoother melt.
- Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a pleasing crunch; panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter texture.
- To make ahead, assemble the mac and cheese in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, five cheese mac and cheese, creamy macaroni and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta bake
