Description
This Five Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese recipe is a rich, creamy, and indulgent twist on the classic comfort food. Featuring a blend of five cheeses—extra sharp cheddar, American, smoked gouda, smoked gruyère, and colby jack—combined with a flavorful seasoned milk sauce and baked to golden perfection, this dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb large elbow macaroni
- 1½ tablespoons kosher salt (for boiling pasta water)
Cheese Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
Cheeses
- 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups American cheese or Velveeta, shredded
- 2 cups smoked gouda, shredded
- 2 cups smoked gruyère, shredded
- 2 cups colby jack, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the mac and cheese later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
- Melt Butter: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter until fully liquefied and starting to bubble slightly.
- Make Milk Mixture: Whisk together the large egg and evaporated milk into the melted butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in seasoned salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix well to incorporate all the flavors.
- Add Cheeses: Gradually add in the shredded cheeses—extra sharp cheddar, American or Velveeta, smoked gouda, smoked gruyère, and colby jack—stirring continuously until the cheese has completely melted and formed a creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is well coated with the cheesy mixture.
- Bake: Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is bubbly and begins to turn golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, include the cayenne pepper; omit for a milder flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheeses rather than pre-shredded for better melting and flavor.
- Allowing the mac and cheese to rest after baking helps thicken the sauce for better serving consistency.
- Substitute Velveeta with American cheese for a creamier consistency if desired.
- Use a greased baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, five cheese mac and cheese, comfort food, cheddar, gouda, gruyère, colby jack, creamy pasta, cheesy casserole
