Go Back

Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This richly cheesy Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, combining the flavors of Gruyère, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan into a silky, creamy sauce that hugs each pasta curve.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons butter (unsalted) Use unsalted butter to control the salt.
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 4 cups whole milk (warmed) Warming helps the sauce come together smoothly.
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Fresh garlic gives it that extra flavor boost if preferred.
  • Salt & black pepper Adjust to taste.
Cheeses
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Reserve for topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
  3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns pale gold.
  4. Slowly whisk in the warm milk and heavy cream until smooth and thick.
  5. Stir in the mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and adjust to taste.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in all the cheeses (reserve 1 cup for topping) until glossy and creamy.
  7. Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce gently until coated.
  8. Pour everything into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with reserved cheese, and bake for 25–30 minutes.

Notes

For a crunchy side, serve with garlic Parmesan fries. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat gently.