Five Cheese Mac Cheese (Print Format)

Ultra-rich and creamy baked mac and cheese featuring five delicious cheeses for the ultimate comfort food experience.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta base

01 - 1 pound elbow macaroni

→ Five amazing cheeses

02 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
04 - 1 cup gouda cheese, shredded
05 - 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
06 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened

→ Creamy sauce base

07 - ½ cup whole milk
08 - ¼ cup unsalted butter
09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a large baking dish. Cook your elbow macaroni according to the package directions until it's al dente - you want it to have just a little bite since it'll finish cooking in the oven. Drain it well.
02 - In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter completely. Add the softened cream cheese and milk, whisking constantly until you get a smooth, creamy mixture with no lumps. This is your flavor foundation!
03 - Stir in your garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning - this is where you build that perfect flavor base.
04 - Add your drained macaroni to the pot and stir everything together so each piece gets coated in that creamy goodness.
05 - Now for the best part! Add the cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and Parmesan cheeses to the pot. Stir gently but thoroughly until all the cheese melts and creates an incredibly rich, creamy sauce that coats every noodle.
06 - Spoon your cheesy masterpiece into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling beautifully around the edges.
07 - Let it cool for just a few minutes before serving - the cheese will be molten hot! Serve generous portions of this ultimate comfort food while it's still warm and gooey.

# Tips:

01 - Feel free to swap in other delicious cheeses like Havarti, fontina, or gruyere based on what you have or your personal favorites.
02 - Want to make it heartier? Add cooked bacon, rotisserie chicken, or even jalapeños for a spicy kick.
03 - This is perfect for make-ahead meals - assemble everything and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
04 - To reheat leftovers, add a splash of milk and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through and creamy again.
05 - Using freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded makes a huge difference in how smooth and creamy your sauce turns out.

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