Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy texture of the Ultimate Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese, where each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a symphony of flavors. The golden, crispy topping contrasts beautifully with the velvety pasta, creating a delightful sensory experience that is both comforting and luxurious.
Ingredients
- Macaroni: 1 pound elbow macaroni
- Cheeses:
- Cheddar: 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- Gruyère: 1 cup shredded Gruyère
- Parmesan: 1 cup grated Parmesan
- Monterey Jack: 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, softened
- Milk: 4 cups whole milk
- Butter: 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Flour: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Seasoning:
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Mustard Powder: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni until al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and mix in the cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan until fully melted.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni, stirring until well coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the cheese with a low-fat cheese option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 18 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 60 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 80 milligrams
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