Description
Creamy 5 Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, packed with five luscious cheeses, a rich béchamel sauce, and baked to golden perfection. It’s indulgent, cozy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2–3 minutes to make a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cream, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Gradually add cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and half the parmesan cheese. Stir until fully melted and incorporated.
- Season the sauce with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Spread a thin layer of cheese sauce at the bottom of the baking dish. Add cooked macaroni and pour the remaining sauce over. Stir gently to combine.
- Top with the remaining parmesan and a sprinkle of cheddar if desired.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbling and golden on top.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother sauce.
- Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente is best for baked dishes.
- Let the mac and cheese rest after baking for cleaner slices.
- Add panko crumbs on top if you love a crunchy topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy pasta, comfort food, cheese casserole