Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe
Introduction
Indulge in the creamy, cheesy goodness of this Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese. With a blend of five rich cheeses and a crispy breadcrumb topping, this classic comfort dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
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 the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly golden.
- Step 4: Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Step 5: Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Step 6: Stir in sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Step 7: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated.
- Step 8: Pour the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish.
- Step 9: Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Step 10: Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra creaminess, mix in a little cream cheese when melting the cheeses.
- Swap gouda for smoked cheese to add a subtle smoky flavor.
- Try adding cooked bacon or caramelized onions for added texture and taste.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Top with crushed potato chips instead of breadcrumbs for a crunchy twist.
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, or microwave in short intervals stirring occasionally.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this mac and cheese ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish and refrigerate it before baking. Bake just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
What can I use instead of panko breadcrumbs?
If you don’t have panko, regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers work well for the topping. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts.
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Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese is a rich, creamy, and indulgent classic comfort food made with a blend of sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan cheeses. The elbow macaroni is cooked to perfection and smothered in a cheesy sauce made from butter, flour, milk, and cream, then baked with a crispy panko breadcrumb topping for a golden finish. Perfect for satisfying cheesy cravings, this recipe is easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.
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’s at the ideal temperature when you’re ready to bake the mac and cheese.
- Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until it is al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook the roux until it turns a light golden color, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in 3 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Gradually stir in all the shredded cheeses — sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan — until melted and smooth.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is evenly coated.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter to create a flavorful and crispy topping for the mac and cheese.
- Bake: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and allow the baked mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This lets the sauce thicken slightly for the best texture.
Notes
- You can prepare the cheese sauce and macaroni in advance and refrigerate before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and ensure panko breadcrumbs are gluten-free.
- Experiment with different cheese blends based on your preference, but keep the total cheese quantity the same for consistency.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for best melting and flavor.
- To make the topping extra crispy, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- 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, comfort food, cheesy pasta, homemade mac and cheese
