Description

This indulgent Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy pasta dish with a blend of five cheeses baked to perfection with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for a comforting family meal or special occasion, it combines elbow macaroni with a rich cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan cheeses, baked until golden and bubbly.

Ingredients

Scale

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 the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the mac and cheese later.
Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
Prepare the 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, stirring constantly, until the mixture is lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in 3 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Remove from heat and stir in the five cheeses—1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup shredded mild cheddar, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 cup shredded gouda, and 1 cup grated parmesan—until fully melted and smooth.
Combine macaroni and cheese sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to coat every piece with the creamy sauce.
Prepare breadcrumb topping: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated.
Assemble and bake: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes to set before serving.

Notes

For a crispier topping, broil the mac and cheese for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Use freshly grated cheeses for better melting and flavor.
Feel free to add cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or herbs for extra flavor.
To make ahead, prepare through the combine step and refrigerate, then bake just before serving, adding extra baking time if needed.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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