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Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese

A close-up of baked mac and cheese in a white dish, featuring a golden-brown breadcrumb topping.
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A creamy, custardy baked macaroni and cheese with a blend of five cheeses, perfect as a holiday side dish or a comforting crowd favorite.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly, until lightly golden.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Bring to a simmer, whisking often, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  6. Add the shredded cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack cheeses. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
  7. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.
  8. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  9. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
  11. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the mac and cheese, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
  • You can substitute any of your favorite cheeses for a personalized flavor.
  • To prevent curdling, ensure your milk and cream are at room temperature before adding them to the roux.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/mac-and-cheese-five-cheese-baked/