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Ultimate five cheese baked mac and cheese in a creamy, cheesy casserole dish

Ultimate Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese

This creamy and cheesy baked mac and cheese features five different kinds of cheese for an incredibly rich and flavorful comfort dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Seasoning
  • 1 lb large elbow macaroni
  • 1.5 tablespoons kosher salt For pasta water
Cheese Sauce
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter For making the sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
  • 1 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Sauce Base
  • 4 cups milk For the cheese sauce
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour For thickening the sauce
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
Topping
  • 0.5 cup breadcrumbs Optional for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, adding kosher salt to the boiling water. Drain and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring until the mixture thickens.
  4. Reduce heat and add the cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, blue cheese, and parmesan. Stir until melted and smooth.
Combining and Baking
  1. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat.
  2. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
  3. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  5. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Serve hot with a side salad or steamed vegetables. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier topping.